General

From Newbury to Reading and the River Thames the waterway is predominantly a river with short canal sections. Many of the canal sections have a considerable flow of water. Care and respect need to be given to the potential power of flowing water if the safety of the boat and its passengers and crew are to be maintained.

1. Remember the rule of the road – navigate on the right. Oncoming craft will pass on your left. This particularly important on sharp blind bends.

2. Craft proceeding upstream should give way to craft proceeding downstream.

3. When mooring always secure the upstream end of the boat first. When going downstream this means the stern/back of the boat should be secured first.

4. Always wind top gate paddles down when leaving a lock.

5. Do not exceed the speed limit of 4 mph. Slow down when passing moored craft.

6. When in a lock proceeding upstream make sure the bow/front of the boat is properly secured by a rope around a bollard. Do not rely on a centre rope or try to maintain position with the engine.

7. Open the paddle first on the side that the boat is moored.

8. Ensure that you take up the weight of the paddle, especially on ground paddles, before releasing the ratchet.

9. Do not leave windlasses unattended on raised paddle gear. Don’t leave them behind.

10. When in a lock proceeding downstream keep clear of the lock cill, its position is indicated by a metal or white paint marker.

11. Do not run around locks. Take care that you do not trip on bollards or raised piling tops, or slip on wet walkways. Keep children and dogs under close supervision at all times.

12. Ensure you have adequate crew for the efficient operation of swing bridges, particularly at peak road traffic times. Public highway swing bridges should not be operated after sunset.

Newbury - West Mills Swing Bridge

Approach the bridge carefully – moored craft on both sides. Mooring for the bridge is on the right but there can be a strong draw from the weir on the left. Steer to secure your boat STERN FIRST.

Newbury Lock and Bridge

Wait in the lock to ensure that any craft already approaching upstream can moor in a suitable position to allow you to proceed downstream. A strong current will flow from the left but do not over-compensate your steering for this as an up-welling current will tend to hold you centrally in the river. Maintain adequate engine power to ensure good steerage.

Newbury – Parkway Bridge

The bridge headroom has recently been improved but the central support pillar remains. The approach to the bridge is on a sharp right-hand curve. The pillar and right-hand navigation arch is obscured until the last minute.

Widmead Lock

In high water conditions the surround of this lock, especially the downstream approach landing, may be under water. Take great care.

Heales Lock

This is a deep lock with a high cill. Ensure that the boat is well clear of the cill.

Woolhampton Swing Bridge

THIS IS THE MOST POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS PART OF THE NAVIGATION. Come down through the lock and wait in the lock tail. DO NOT PROCEED FURTHER UNTIL THE BRIDGE IS OPEN.

Open the swing bridge ensuring it is fully open. (There is a final slow movement of the bridge up to its stop post. If this is not done the tip of the bridge will foul the waterway and will hit the superstructure of the boat.) When the bridge is open proceed carefully, steering to maintain position on the right and using sufficient engine power to maintain good steerage to ensure you approach the bridge on a left-hand curve. As soon as you are through the bridge reverse your engine power to moor your boat on the right-hand bank STERN FIRST.

When closing the road barriers ensure that they are properly positioned in the locking mechanism. Check these if you cannot remove your BWB key from the console.

Woolhampton to Frouds Bridge - river section

Maintain a good lookout on the bends. Do not take the last right-hand bend too wide.

Aldermaston Lift Bridge

Fully automatic electrical operation. BWB key required. This is the busy A380 road. Ensure your boat is ready to proceed through the bridge before starting to open it. This bridge is automatically locked closed during peak road traffic times and after sunset.

Padworth Swing Bridge

Electrically operated. Insert key in console to open lid for access to controls. Barriers lowered and raised by hand. When raising ensure that the barriers are vertical and click into position – this can be tricky in very windy weather. You will only be able to release your key if everything is properly closed. Check the barriers first if there is a problem.


Ufton Bridge

Due to be converted to electric operation during the winter of 2001-2.
Until then the bridge is hydraulically operated. Requires windlass and BWB key. Instructions say 90 turns required. Wind open until resistance felt. Close for 65 turns.

Theale Swing Bridge

Beware of the current when mooring – reverse in stern first.

Burghfield Lock

This is a short lock. Keep clear of the cill. A full-length narrowboat will need to be positioned on the offside in order to open the nearside bottom gate first. A pair of boats can use the lock together provided one boat is less than 68ft in length and is positioned on the nearside of the lock.

County Lock

The upstream landing stage is inadequate for all but the smallest craft. After passing under Berkeley Avenue Bridge approach slowly past moored craft on your left and reverse stern first to moor on the right-hand side under the IDR Bridge. Check whether lock is set for you. If it isn’t the crew will have to walk up the steps and along the footpath and over the bridge to get to the lock.

Remain in the lock until your crew has set the traffic lights to green. Do not worry if they turn to red before you pass them – you have 12 minutes to clear the next section. Ensure you use adequate engine power for good steerage through High Bridge.

Blakes Lock

Operated by the Environment Agency and normally manned. You can obtain a licence for the Thames from here. If unmanned, licences can be obtained at either Caversham or Sonning Locks. Do not proceed further without a licence.