The Environment Agency was proud to assist with the Royal row barge, Gloriana’s, safe passage through Teddington Lock on the River Thames last week during the last day of the Olympic torch relay last week (Friday 27 July 2012).
The Environment Agency was proud to assist with the Royal row barge, Gloriana’s, safe passage through Teddington Lock on the River Thames last week during the last day of the Olympic torch relay last week (Friday 27 July 2012).
The Olympic torch travelled 8,000 miles around the country over 70 days to an epic end in the Olympic Park. On its 70th and final day the torch travelled along the River Thames on the Royal row barge, the Gloriana. This 16-oarsmen and women powered boat was presented to and named by Her Majesty The Queen in mark of this year’s Diamond Jubilee.
The Gloriana was accompanied by Environment Agency patrol boats and officers along the non-tidal River Thames assuring no disruption to its travels. Many thousands of spectators lined up along its lengthy paths to watch as the Gloriana and procession of boats enter and travel through the lock. Teddington Lock, which actually consists of three different sized locks, is manned and maintained by the Environment Agency 24 hours a day seven days a week. It has the longest and shortest locks on the Thames, and all three locks are also the deepest*, at 2.68m deep.
Matt Carter, Waterways Operations Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people, old and young, come to Teddington Lock to watch the Gloriana and the Olympic torch. The staff at the Teddington Lock, and our boatmen, continue to do an impeccable job and it was great for crowds to see them and the lock in action, for such a momentous and memorable occasion. The whole event went without a hitch and we were all very proud to play a key role in the Gloriana’s safe and secure journey, particularly as it entered Teddington Lock, the largest weir on the river.
“We have been involved in several stages of planning around the Olympics for several years, and still have staff operational at Eton and Dorney for the rowing events, with our boats escorting the rowing medallists along the river yesterday.
“It is absolutely fitting that the River Thames, which is a world class attraction, is getting the world attention it deserves.”
*Along with Sandford Lock.
Did you know?
• The first pound lock, built by the City of London, opened to river traffic here in 1811 and it was located beneath the steel footbridge by the lock.
• Due to problems with water levels caused by the removal of the old London Bridge, a new lock was built a short way downstream in 1857 – this is the current ‘launch’ lock.
• The barge lock, which was built in 1904, is 650ft (198.12m) and, along with the other two Teddington locks and Sandford Lock is the deepest on the Thames at 8ft 10in, 2.68m.
• Teddington has the longest and the shortest locks on the Thames – the skiff lock, or coffin lock as it’s also known, is the shortest.
• In the 1870s the weir collapsed twice.
• In 1940 Teddington Lock was the assembly point for an enormous flotilla of small ships from the length of the River Thames to be used in the Evacuation of Dunkirk.
