Ware Lock to remain closed until Spring

Boaters on the River Lee between Hertford and Ware remain trapped until the Spring of 2027 following the closure of Ware No.2 Lock earlier in the year.

An update from the Environment Agency states that the lock gates are to be replaced, with work exected to be complete by Spring 2027.

The primary component of the project (the two sets of lock gates) are currently in outline design and will progress to detailed design in early November.

A number of boaters stranded upstream of the lock have expressed an impact on their health, safety, wellbeing and livelihood. Earlier in the year, we completed a letter drop and collated comms information to all moored boats from the lock to the end of the navigation upstream and asked boaters to contact us if they have a need to move.

Short duration lock openings for boats that have an urgent need to travel though the lock may be permitted prior to full gate replacement.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "We are fully committed to replacing the Ware Lock gates as quickly and safely as possible- following their emergency closure for safety reasons and are working closely with specialist contractors to progress the works.

"We understand the impact this closure has on the boating community and will continue to coordinate controlled, short-duration openings for urgent travel where engineering assessments show it is safe to do so."

The lock has been closed since 12th January 2026.