Ocean Crest Marine has helped the UK Environment Agency hit an important milestone on the River Thames’ Benson Weir project.
The project comprises the update, repair or replacement of the 14 radial gates of Benson Weir in order to continue to maintain water levels for navigation, amenity, environmental and flood protection purposes. The successful completion of the Weir A Site Acceptance Test (SAT) means the weir is now fully operable going into the winter.
Support from Ocean Crest Marine has seen the use of the company’s modular RCP pontoons. These are ideal for supporting large cranes, up to 600t in land-locked sites such as rivers, lakes and canals.
Benson Weir and Lock history goes back into the late 1300s, when a mill and weir were recorded. It wasn’t until 1788 that the first timber lock was built and later converted to a stone lock in 1870.
This year has seen work on the large radial gates and a new fish pass with new weir radial gates being installed and tested. Work continues on the walkway over the weir, closed for safety due to corrosion and impact damage.
Following the winter closure in 2025, the last few works on the fish pass will be finalised before ensuring that everything is complete and ready for use to open the new walkway to the public in Spring 2026.
