ENVIRONMENT Agency staff carefully lowered two five-tonne steel gates into place as part of a £3m lock improvement scheme.

Work started on the site at Benson Lock near Wallingford in November and on Wednesday a 100-tonne crane lifted the new gates into position.

The lock is popular among boaters using the River Thames and more than 8,000 passed through it last year.

The new steel gates were needed because the old timber gates, installed in the 1970s, were no longer working properly.

It was a tricky operation to replace the gates because there was no road access and heavy equipment had to be transported to the site on the river.

Environment Agency waterways engineer Paul Power said: “This was a highly unusual opportunity to see a lock out of operation and drained to the bottom.

“A lock without water is a rare sight and reminds us how much we rely on the smooth operation of the locks to keep the River Thames running on a day-to-day basis.

“The installation of these new gates and the refurbishment of the lock walls means Benson Lock will continue to operate smoothly for many years to come.”

Built in the 1890s, the lock has a number of unique features including a cast-iron base and lower walls made of cast iron.

The lock was drained and in November nearly 500 fish were caught in it. Agency staff then used electro-fishing tools to stun the fish before returning them safely to the river.

Benson county councillor Tony Crabbe expects work on the project to be completed by March.

He said: “It’s quite quiet on the river at this time of year and if the work finishes in March that will be in good time for the summer when the river gets busy.

“These steel gates should last a lot longer than the previous ones and I think this is a very positive project.”

The Environment Agency is seeking new volunteer lock keepers, to work alongside professional lockkeepers to help keep the Thames running smoothly.

Waterways volunteer manager Andrew Graham said: “This is the second year we have invited volunteers to help us manage and operate our locks and we hope to build on the success of last year.

“We had more than 80 volunteers helping us out along the river during the boating season last year.

“People don’t have to live right next to the River Thames to volunteer with us.

“As well as helping boats through the lock, volunteers can use what they know about the Thames and its surroundings to help us tell visitors about everything it has to offer.”

David Machin, from Steeple Aston, near Bicester, volunteered last year at Godstow Lock.

He said: “The highlight for me was when comedian David Walliams came through the lock on his swim for Sports Relief.”

For further information email thames.volunteers@environment -agency.gov.uk.