Thames Olympic restrictions

THOUGH the Thames is not being used for any Olympic sport, the Environment Agency is closing part of it to safeguard a nearby lake where activities are taking place.

Canoe and rowing events will be taking place at Dorney Lake at Eton, so the Agency is closing part of the Thames from Bray Lock to Boveney Lock.

Cut-off

There will be a 'navigation exclusion zone' in the river between the two locks that will be cut-off with yellow buoys, until early September.

In addition the Agency is closing the river and restricting mooring between Molesey and Teddington locks from 7am until 9am on Friday 27 July, whilst the Olympic Torch makes its way from Hampton Court Palace through Teddington Lock en route to the Olympic Park on board the royal barge Gloriana.

Tidal Thames

There will be an intensive security operation in force on the tideway during the Olympics. The Port of London Authority will allow no passage of any  boat without an official identification document.

This will enable the Olympic safety and security organisations on the river to easily confirm the identity of recreational boats, at a time when traffic on the tideway is expected to increase considerably.

Proof

Identification documents are available at Teddington Lock, but an hour is required to complete the process when you will have to give proof of your mooring booking and details of your journey in addition to the usual documents.

You will then received a transit document, or if you cannot fulfil the requirements, will be turned back.

No information is available about access at Brentford from the Grand Union Canal.