Caversham Lock
Caversham Lock | |
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51°27′39″N 0°57′51″W / 51.4607°N 0.9641°W | |
Waterway | River Thames |
County | Berkshire |
Maintained by | Environment Agency |
Operation | Hydraulic |
First built | 1778 |
Latest built | 1875 |
Length | 40.03 m (131 ft 4 in)[1] |
Width | 5.46 m (17 ft 11 in)[1] |
Fall | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)[1] |
Above sea level | 120' |
Distance to Teddington Lock | 55 miles |
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Caversham Lock is a
The weir is upstream of the lock and in the mid-channel. Kings Meadow, Reading, and buildings comprising homes and office blocks adjoin to the south of the lock itself. The island contains a typical lock-keeper's house, a crane depot, small boatyard, and large boathouse owned by the Environment Agency for occasional use by that authority and police in river patrol and maintenance of boats.
The head of water provided by the weir is used by Reading Hydro to generate up to 46 kW of electricity.[2]
History
A weir, mill, ferry, and flash lock on the site were referenced in 1493 when granted to Notley Abbey. The pound lock opened in 1778, but the long promised lock house was not built until after 1819. In 1871 Reading Corporation planned to build a swing bridge over the lock upstream, but did not implement the plan. The lock was rebuilt in 1875.[3]
Access to and across the lock
The lock is about 400 metres east of Reading railway station and well connected to Kings Meadow, the largest park of central Reading.
Access to the north is to part of the Lower Caversham neighborhood of the former village of
Reach above the lock
Soon after the lock, there is Reading Bridge followed by Fry's Island in the middle of the river. The built-up part of Reading stretches 500m (on the southern side) to Caversham Bridge. A gangway spans from Reading to Pipers Island, with a restaurant that covers more than 75% of the gangway.
The northern bank passes by Caversham. St Mary's Island is close to the bank at the far end of Caversham (seen on maps also as Upper and Lower Large). Further west of St Mary's Island, Mapledurham House comes into view as the river continues almost northwards towards Mapledurham Lock.
On the south bank, after the farmed meadows, is
The Thames Path follows the southern bank. A footpath follows the north bank between Reading and Caversham bridges.
There is an orphan section of the original towpath 1 km downstream of Mapledurham Lock, inaccessible except by boat.
Sports clubs
- Reading Rowing Club
- Reading Canoe Club
See also
- Islands in the River Thames
- Locks on the River Thames
- Crossings of the River Thames
References
- ^ a b c "A User's Guide to the River Thames" (PDF). PDF file. Environmental Agency. 2009. pp. 29–30. Retrieved 7 November 2012. Dimensions given in metres
- ^ "Discover our hydro-electric plant". Reading Hydro CBS. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
- ^ Fred. S. Thacker The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles
- ^ a b "Environment Agency Distances between locks on the River Thames". web page. Environmental Agency. 19 November 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2012. Distances given in km