Mortlake Reach - Kew Rail Bridge - Arch Closures

Mariners are advised that, commencing on Monday 16th June 2025, for four nights, contractors on behalf of Network Rail will carry out survey and inspections of Kew Rail Bridge via rope access.  

To facilitate these works, the following control measures will be implemented:  

*Only one arch will be closed to navigation at a time. 

Arches closed to navigation will be marked in accordance with the Port of London Authority Thames Byelaws 2012 namely:  

• By day, three red discs 0.6 metres in diameter at the points of an equilateral triangle with the apex downwards and the base horizontal 
• By night, three red lights in similar positions to the discs displayed by day. 

Guard boats GUARD DOG and WATCHDOG will be in attendance as a visual reinforcement of the arch closures and maintaining a listening watch on VHF Channel 14. 

Any requirements to proceed with caution or at slow speed, will be made in accordance with the procedures set out in the Port of London Authority’s Port Information Guide, under ‘London VTS’, ‘Section 4’ with the International Code Flags ‘Romeo Yankee’ displayed, which are illustrated below.

The display of these signals will be in addition to any lights or shapes required under local regulations and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

Further details will be broadcast by London VTS on VHF Channel 14.