18 of 2022 – Drought Order – River Medway Navigation

A prolonged period of dry weather and the resulting low flows has resulted in the The River Medway being put into drought status by the Environment Agency.

Following the Medway navigation drought plan and in order to preserve water levels we will be continuing to restrict the use at some of our lock sites to preserve water within the system. This will enable navigation to continue while protecting strategic water abstractions and the river ecology.

The restrictions will be as follows, and will last until further notice:

• Allington Lock will be operated at High Water, during daylight hours only. Please call the lock keeper for further details.
• From Wednesday 24th August, ‘By Appointment Only’ Hampstead Lock and Tonbridge Town Lock will be assisted passage only. Please call Allington to make an appointment for lock passage at Hampstead or Town locks. Appointments can be made for passage any day at 9am, 12 noon, and 3pm.

• Tonbridge Town lock fish and canoe pass is closed.

• At our other sites, we ask that river users voluntarily share locks where possible, close both gates and all paddles after use and avoid unnecessary use of the locks to retain as much water as possible.

We hope with your support these measure will be sufficient to maintain the navigation, but further actions will be taken if levels continue to drop.