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General
From Reading through Burghfield to Newbury the waterway is predominantly a
river with short canal sections. 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. Dont 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.
Kennet Mouth and Blakes Lock
The entrance to the Kennet from the Thames is under two large railway bridges
upstream of the gas holders! Keep clear of the left-hand bank from the bridges
to Blakes Lock. Blakes Lock is operated by the Environment Agency and is
normally manned. BW licences will be checked here.
Reading Town Centre
Moorings are available at Chestnut Walk by the Abbey Ruins and Reading Gaol. The
entrance is off to the right 300 metres above Blakes Lock. Take the right-hand
arch of the low bridge (approx. 2 metres headroom) then cross to the left-hand
side of the island ahead.
Limited short stay moorings are available alongside Queens Road multi-storey car
park just before High Bridge.
The next section through The Oracle shopping centre is controlled by traffic
lights on the right-hand bank. There is a 12 minute delay before traffic flow
can be reversed. If the light remains red do not proceed until the green light
comes on. There is no stopping or mooring allowed until County Lock.
County Lock
Beware of the strong clockwise eddy current on the approach to the lock. If the
gates are closed against you moor to the new layby whilst you prepare the lock.
Theale Swing Bridge
When proceeding upstream it is advisable for the bridge operator to walk along
the towpath from Sheffield Lock so that the boat can proceed directly through
the open bridge. BWB key required. Insert key in console and follow
instructions.
Tyle Mill
Set the lock before opening the bridge. This is a newly automated bridge
follow the instructions.
Ufton Bridge
Due to be converted to electrical operation during the winter of 2001-02.
Until then it is hydraulically operated. Requires windlass and BWB key.
Instructions say 90 turns required. Wind open until resistance felt. Close for
65 turns.
Towney Lock
This lock has a high cill and water from the gate paddles comes in at a level
higher than the front of your boat. Secure the boat as far back in the lock as
possible to prevent it being flooded. A full-length narrowboat will need to open
the offside paddle first and proceed with caution.
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.
Aldermaston Lift Bridge
Fully automatic electrical operation. BWB key required. This is the busy A340
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.
Frouds Bridge to Woolhampton - river section
Give way to craft proceeding downstream. Maintain a good lookout on the bends.
Woolhampton Swing Bridge
Moor below the bridge and SET THE LOCK WITH BOTH BOTTOM GATES OPEN. THIS IS THE
MOST POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS PART OF THE NAVIGATION as the river sweeps across the
tail of the lock before curving down through the bridge. The bridge is
electrically operated BWB key required. Open console and close the horizontal
road barriers. Press button to open bridge.
The boat should proceed through the bridge and keep heading into the current at
all times. This means following the curve of the right-hand bank all the way to
the lock entrance and then turning right into the lock. DO NOT HEAD DIRECTLY
TOWARDS THE LOCK THE CURRENT WILL SWEEP YOU SIDEWAYS AND YOU WILL HIT THE
BANK.
Heales Lock
This is a deep lock with a high cill. The water from the gate paddles comes in
at a higher level than the front of the boat. Ensure that the boat is secured as
far back in the lock as possible. Full-length boats should open the offside
paddle first and take care not to be flooded.
Widmead Lock
In high water conditions the surround of this lock, especially the landing
upstream of the lock, may be under water. Take great care.
Newbury Parkway Bridge
The bridge headroom has recently been improved but the central support pillar
remains. Keep to the right when going upstream.
Newbury Bridge and Lock
Give way to any craft proceeding downstream. Width is restricted on the bridge
approach and broad-beam craft regularly use this section. Keep well back if you
have to wait below the bridge. The river sweeps in from the right just upstream
of the bridge steer strongly to the right to compensate for this.
Enjoy the rest of your cruise.
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