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|coordinates = {{coord|51|24|18.5|N|0|24|22|W|scale:2000_region:GB|display=inline,title|name=Sunbury Lock}} | |coordinates = {{coord|51|24|18.5|N|0|24|22|W|scale:2000_region:GB|display=inline,title|name=Sunbury Lock}} | ||
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|extra = Power is available out of hours | |extra = Power is available out of hours | ||
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'''Sunbury Lock''' is a ] |
'''Sunbury Lock''' is a ] complex of the ] in England near ] in north-west ], the third lowest of forty four on the non-tidal reaches. The complex adjoins the ], southern bank about {{convert|1/2|mi}} downstream of the Weir Hotel. | ||
The complex is two locks, old and new, and a narrow concrete divide, which are downstream of the original lock built in 1812. The older, hand-operated, was originally built in 1856, seldom used. The newer was opened in 1927 by ]. Rollers and a slope adjoins for the portage (hauling) of small boats. The lock adjoins ]. | |||
The lock has three associated weirs, upstream. The main weir is between ] and ]; the latter has two others weirs, one of which is a small part-time storm weir. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The earliest weir was built in 1789 specifically to divert water to create a deeper channel for navigation. |
The earliest major weir locally was built in 1789 specifically to divert water to create a deeper channel for navigation.<ref name=thacker/> Other such weirs locally were in place since medieval times because of many shoals and flats in the Sunbury, in the period of ] which caused much ] downstream the river locally had minor tidal effects.<ref name=thacker/> The first plan for a lock was in 1805 with an ambitious lock cut.<ref name=thacker/> A modified scheme in 1809 resulted in the first lock, later removed, built close to the footbridge to Sunbury Lock Ait, where its lock house of the same year survives.<ref name=thacker/> The associated long ] above the lock expanded a natural channel beside the island known as Church Island and the lock was opened in 1812.<ref name=thacker/> The lock had become dilapidated by 1852 and the arrival of water companies planning major water extraction from the section of the river below the lock added an incentive for rebuilding it.<ref name=thacker/> The lock was moved downstream and opened in 1856; a new lock house was built.<ref name=thacker>Fred. S. Thacker ''The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs'' 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles</ref> In 1927 a second lock was added at Sunbury, which was opened by Lord Desborough, then president of the ]. | ||
==Access to the lock== | ==Access to the lock== | ||
The lock is inaccessible |
The lock is inaccessible by road and can be reached along the towpath from The Weir Hotel, Walton-on-Thames. The weir stream and Wheatley's Ait backwater, the Creek, is used for kayaking from the northern bank, between ] and ]. | ||
==Reach above the lock== | ==Reach above the lock== | ||
] | ] | ||
A 300 m ] upstream of Sunbury Lock Ait links to the Weir Hotel facing the Sunbury Weir which is followed by Wheatley's Ait hosting an Environment agency working area and riverside housing. More riverside housing, small parks and a marina feature on the Walton Mile and Cowey Sale reach below and above ], two ], and a marina. After ] the river divides between the old course which meanders through ] and the direct ] alongside ]. Before Shepperton lock the waters rejoin where the ] the ] and two mouths of the ] join surrounding ]. Immediately these, including the lock, the ]. | |||
] are beside ] to allow river users to check their speed. | |||
The reach is home to |
The reach is home to six ] clubs, a ] club, ] and ] clubs. Walton and Weybridge Regatta, Walton Small Boats Head, Weybridge Silver Sculls, Weybridge Ladies Regatta and Walton Skiff Regatta are annual events. | ||
===Thames Path=== | ===Thames Path=== | ||
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*] | *] | ||
*Weybridge Ladies Rowing Club | *Weybridge Ladies Rowing Club | ||
*Weyfarers (recreational) Rowing Club | |||
*] ] | *] ] | ||
*Desborough Sailing Club | *Desborough Sailing Club |
Revision as of 20:34, 22 January 2018
Sunbury Lock | |
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Sunbury lock with boats in the older hand-operated lock. The new lock is on the right | |
51°24′18.5″N 0°24′22″W / 51.405139°N 0.40611°W / 51.405139; -0.40611 (Sunbury Lock) | |
Waterway | River Thames |
County | Surrey |
Maintained by | Environment Agency |
Operation | Old Manual New Hydraulic |
First built | 1812 Old 1856 New 1927 |
Length | Old 47.15 m (154 ft 8 in) New 62.78 m (206 ft 0 in) |
Width | Old 5.86 m (19 ft 3 in) New 7.41 m (24 ft 4 in) |
Fall | Both locks 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) |
Above sea level | 27' |
Distance to Teddington Lock | 8 miles |
Power is available out of hours |
Sunbury Lock the Walton, Weybridge and Shepperton reach of the Thames | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sunbury Lock is a lock complex of the River Thames in England near Walton-on-Thames in north-west Surrey, the third lowest of forty four on the non-tidal reaches. The complex adjoins the right, southern bank about 1⁄2 mile (0.80 km) downstream of the Weir Hotel.
The complex is two locks, old and new, and a narrow concrete divide, which are downstream of the original lock built in 1812. The older, hand-operated, was originally built in 1856, seldom used. The newer was opened in 1927 by Lord Desborough. Rollers and a slope adjoins for the portage (hauling) of small boats. The lock adjoins Sunbury Lock Ait.
The lock has three associated weirs, upstream. The main weir is between Sunbury Lock Ait and Wheatley's Ait (north); the latter has two others weirs, one of which is a small part-time storm weir.
History
The earliest major weir locally was built in 1789 specifically to divert water to create a deeper channel for navigation. Other such weirs locally were in place since medieval times because of many shoals and flats in the Sunbury, in the period of Old London Bridge (1209-1831) which caused much silting downstream the river locally had minor tidal effects. The first plan for a lock was in 1805 with an ambitious lock cut. A modified scheme in 1809 resulted in the first lock, later removed, built close to the footbridge to Sunbury Lock Ait, where its lock house of the same year survives. The associated long cut above the lock expanded a natural channel beside the island known as Church Island and the lock was opened in 1812. The lock had become dilapidated by 1852 and the arrival of water companies planning major water extraction from the section of the river below the lock added an incentive for rebuilding it. The lock was moved downstream and opened in 1856; a new lock house was built. In 1927 a second lock was added at Sunbury, which was opened by Lord Desborough, then president of the Thames Conservancy.
Access to the lock
The lock is inaccessible by road and can be reached along the towpath from The Weir Hotel, Walton-on-Thames. The weir stream and Wheatley's Ait backwater, the Creek, is used for kayaking from the northern bank, between Shepperton and Sunbury-on-Thames.
Reach above the lock
A 300 m cut upstream of Sunbury Lock Ait links to the Weir Hotel facing the Sunbury Weir which is followed by Wheatley's Ait hosting an Environment agency working area and riverside housing. More riverside housing, small parks and a marina feature on the Walton Mile and Cowey Sale reach below and above Walton Bridge, two pubs, and a marina. After Walton Bridge the river divides between the old course which meanders through Lower Halliford and Old Shepperton and the direct Desborough Cut alongside Desborough Island. Before Shepperton lock the waters rejoin where the Wey navigation the River Bourne and two mouths of the Wey join surrounding Hamhaugh Island. Immediately these, including the lock, the Shepperton to Weybridge Ferry.
Navigation transit markers are beside Desborough Cut to allow river users to check their speed.
The reach is home to six rowing clubs, a skiffing club, sailing and canoeing clubs. Walton and Weybridge Regatta, Walton Small Boats Head, Weybridge Silver Sculls, Weybridge Ladies Regatta and Walton Skiff Regatta are annual events.
Thames Path
The Thames Path continues along the Surrey bank until just before Shepperton Lock where the ferry goes across to the other side. To avoid the ferry calls for a long detour over Walton Bridge and via Shepperton.
Sports clubs on the reach
- Elmbridge Canoe Club
- Walton Rowing Club
- St George's School Boat Club
- Weybridge Rowing Club
- Weybridge Ladies Rowing Club
- Weyfarers (recreational) Rowing Club
- Thames Valley Skiff Club
- Desborough Sailing Club
Kayaking
Sunbury Weir has the highest volume and fastest freestyle kayaking playspot on the River Thames. It is wide, surging and unfriendly to new or inexperienced paddlers. The eddyline is also very unstable and requires considerable effort to cross.
Access
Public car park on Fordbridge Road, between Shepperton and Sunbury, parallel to north side of River Thames. Once parked, walk across the field, and paddle downstream to the main weir.
Gates
The weir consists of several gates which are opened according to the river levels.
Sunbury appears to work best at a certain pool level, rather than gate configuration. So it is entirely dependent on how many gates are open at the downstream weir (at Molesey Lock). This information is not normally available, so word-of-mouth reports are essential. See links before for up-to-date websites.
Water levels
- Sunbury Weir will need to be on at least 1 and a 1/2 gates for usable feature, pool level depending.
- Hurley Weir needs to be on at least 3 gates for sufficient water.
Literature and the Media
The lock is mentioned in Jerome K. Jerome's book Three Men in a Boat
- "The river is sweetly pretty there just before you come to the gates, and the backwater is charming: but don't attempt to row up it"
See also
- Locks on the River Thames
- Rowing on the River Thames
- Kayaking and Canoeing on the River Thames
- Sailing on the River Thames
External links
- Shepperton Whitewater Centre for Sunbury Weir Levels
- Thames Valley Freestylers weir levels
Next lock upstream | River Thames | Next lock downstream |
Shepperton Lock 4.75 km (2.95 mi) |
Sunbury Lock Grid reference: TQ109685 |
Molesey Lock 4.79 km (2.98 mi) |
References
- ^ "Environment Agency Dimensions of locks on the River Thames". web page. Environmental Agency. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012. Dimensions given in metres
- ^ Fred. S. Thacker The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles
- ^ "Environment Agency Distances between locks on the River Thames". web page. Environmental Agency. 19 November 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012. Distances given in km.
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Places listed are articles notable as settlements, arranged by post town The M25 motorway follows approximately a boundary and is included for its regional importance. |