Thames Landscape Strategy - Hampton to Kew -

Teddington Gateway

‘To conserve, enhance and promote Teddington Lock, placing it at the heart of a waterspace renaissance throughout the Thames Landscape Strategy area’

Located between Hampton and Kew, Teddington Lock is a unique and important river landmark. It connects the non-tidal Thames, running through Oxford and Henley, to the tidal Thames, and is a key gateway for local people, through the historic Teddington footbridge and river towpaths.

Teddington Lock is the largest lock on the River Thames and is owned and managed by the Environment Agency. Teddington Lock contains heritage features of regional and national significance, including the enormous barge and skiff lock and original lock office. The site is located inside a designated conservation area and is at the very centre of the Thames Landscape Strategy region. From the early 19th century, when the Corporation of London opened the original timber pound lock to the public, Teddington Lock has always been a key site along this stretch of the Thames. In 1857, the original lock was replaced and a new skiff lock added to accommodate the increasing craft and commercial freight traffic. The lock cut was extended, boat slides were added and in 1904, the enormous barge lock was built to cope with the larger freight carriers. This broad arrangement of locks still remains today and whilst freight traffic has been all but replaced with pleasure craft, the site provides a unique reminder of the river history and heritage associated with Teddington Lock and the wider river corridor.

‘Teddington Gateway’ was launched at the Teddington River Festival in June 2004, where more than 15,000 people descended on to Teddington’s riverside. This date was chosen to coincide with the 100th birthday of the Teddington Barge Lock, a fitting start to a project centered around river heritage and improving connections from, to and along the River Thames.

The objectives of Teddington Gateway are both bold and important. They have been devised to conserve and enhance the most important historic and natural elements of the lock area and the surrounding open spaces and towpaths. These include enhancements to lighting, seating, railings and signage. Biodiversity works such as habitat creation, hedge and tree planting, and building and lock structure restoration.

The enhancements to Teddington Lock will seek to address the fundamental issue that Teddington Lock, as the junction between the tidal and non-tidal river is often seen as a barrier to boat navigation. For this reason it is important to address the areas further upstream and downstream of the lock in order to encourage and facilitate local people, boat users and day-trippers to visit and go beyond Teddington, be it through scheduled passenger services, hire or privately owned boats.

In addition, Teddington Gateway will improve facilities for other river users (such as pump-outs, passenger landing stages and visitor moorings), commuters, visitors and local people by improving amenities on the riverbank and towpaths enabling greater recreational opportunities, public enjoyment, access to and understanding of the Thames corridor.

Whilst a strong commitment and vision for the project has been achieved, there is still considerable development work and consultation to be conducted to take the project proposals forward and ensure they are well designed and of lasting benefit. Heritage Lottery Funding is being sought that will need to be matched by contributions from the public and grant giving trusts.

Teddington Gateway is being developed through the TLS partnership. The members involved share common views and aspirations and are strongly committed to the project. The Environment Agency is the lead organisation and is working closely through the TLS partnership with the following members and groups; London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Port of London Authority, Teddington Society, Local businesses, clubs and residents.