Fri, Jul 31
Please be advised that the River Severn is running low and slow, carrying substantial amounts of silt.
To help reduce the amount of silt having to be pumped into Gloucester dock we will apply the following restrictions: Sharpness Port: The lock will be closed to leisure craft except where they can share with commercial shipping movements, subject to safety considerations and lock availability. Customers must check the availability of these additional lockage's with Sharpness Pier Head. Customers should note that commercial sailings are not regular and subject to late change and update. The availability of these additional lockage's may be limited. Gloucester Lock: The lock will be restricted to all craft. Locking out (Gloucester dock northwards onto River Severn) will be at 8am, 10am, 12 noon, 2pm and 4pm. Incoming traffic from the river will be on alternate hours from 9am until 5pm. The Lock Keeper will look to limit the impact on customers wherever practical and where safety considerations require, such as tides, additional lockage's may be allowed or postponed. We ask customers to be patient and thank everyone for their cooperation during this time of prolonged hot dry weather. Upper Lode Lock: Boats travelling to Gloucester will be advised not to continue with their journey to Gloucester if they leave Upper Lode after 4pm. We understand the concerns customers may have with the implementation of these measures but must advise that further restrictions may be required should flows in the River Severn continue to fall.
Should it be necessary to continue to escalate water management measures over the course of the summer, we will work to ensure the best balance of measures are implemented. These measures will next be reviewed on 6th August or sooner should the water resource position of the River Severn improve. Please contact Gloucester Lock on 01452 310832 for information on restrictions at Gloucester Lock or for Sharpness Lock bookings & restrictions Sharpness Pier Head on 01453 511968.