Sunbury Lock - History

History

The earliest weir was built in 1789 specifically to divert water to create a deeper channel for navigation. There were several other such weirs locally because of many shoals and flats in the Sunbury area while the river was still tidal here. The first plan for a lock was in 1805 with an ambitious lock cut. A modified scheme in 1809 resulted in the first lock, which was built several hundred yards upstream of the present locks close to the bridge and the original lock house of the same year. The lock cut was created out of an existing channel beside the island and the lock was opened in 1812 The lock had become dilapidated by 1852 and the arrival of water companies planning major water extraction from the section of the river below the lock added an incentive for rebuilding it. It was relocated to its present position with a new lock house and opened in 1856. In 1927 a second lock was added at Sunbury, which was opened by Lord Desborough, then president of the Thames Conservancy.