Clearing the Thames river bed

LEAVING the Richmond Half Tide Lock gates open when the tide went out had an advantage.

It allowed the river bed to be cleaned of rubbish in the annual Thames Draw Off by over 100 volunteers, Alan Tilbury reports.

Lock gates open for maintenance

The lock gates had been left open for maintenance, so as the tide went out it gave the opportunity to get at rubbish on the river bed that is normally inaccessible.

The volunteers included workers, local residents and children, with large amounts of rubbish collected cleared including bicycles, plastic, clothing and general waste.