Boaters across East Anglia are set to benefit from a £5.2 million programme of improvements after the Environment Agency completed a series of major upgrades to locks, navigation
infrastructure and public facilities along the region’s waterways.
The investment, delivered during the 2025/26 financial year, has funded refurbishment and resilience projects at more than 14 locations stretching from Ditchford in Northamptonshire to Denver in Norfolk. The works are designed to improve navigation safety, strengthen infrastructure and enhance the experience for both boaters and visitors.
Among the largest schemes was a major overhaul of Bedford Lock on the River Great Ouse. The project included the replacement of downstream lock gates, installation of a new upstream landing stage and stabilisation of the lock chamber wall. The improvements are expected to reduce disruption for boaters and improve reliability throughout the year. A further phase of work, focusing on the downstream landing stage, is scheduled for later in 2026.
On the River Nene, Titchmarsh Lock has been fitted with solar panels to power its guillotine gate, marking the first of a planned series of renewable energy upgrades across the navigation network. The installation restores automated operation after the gate had reverted to manual use due to ageing equipment, making lock passage more efficient for users.
Significant refurbishment projects have also been completed at Brampton Lock on the River Great Ouse and Wansford Lock on the River Nene. The works included improvements within the lock chambers, upgrades to surrounding pathways and mechanical enhancements to guillotine gate systems to improve long-term reliability.
Additional gate improvements have been carried out at Upware and St Ives.
Katherine Briscombe, East Anglian waterways manager at the Environment Agency, said the projects would help ensure the region’s waterways remain accessible and attractive during the busy summer period.
“We are delighted to have completed this range of works to get the East Anglian waterways open for business across summer 2026,” she said.
“In total, we invested more than £5.2 million during 2025/26 and look forward to delivering further investment programmes in the coming years that will continue to improve customers’ experiences on local waterways.”
The Environment Agency manages and maintains more than 600 miles of inland waterways across England. Boat registration fees help fund the operation and upkeep of the network, supporting a wide range of vessels including narrowboats, sailing boats, canoes, paddleboards and rowing boats.
The agency also reported increased enforcement activity during the 2025/26 season, with 35 unregistered boats removed from East Anglian waterways as part of efforts to tackle non-compliance and improve safety.
This version follows a typical news-release style used by regional and trade media, with a stronger lead, tighter structure, and reduced promotional language. Photo by William M. Connolley at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia commons.
