King George V Lock Gates
The King George V Lock (KGV Lock) is in the south-east of London’s Royal Docks and is managed by the Royal Docks Waterways (RDW). It consists of three sets of mitre gates (16m x 17m each gate) in a lock approximately 243.8m long, 30.48m wide, and a cill depth below chart datum of 6.90m. The lock allows access into the Royal Docks from the River Thames.
How the lock holds back the Thames
The outer gates isolate the lock from the River Thames, the area between the outer and middle gates is described as the quarter lock, and the space between the middle and inner gates is described as the three-quarter lock.
When the gates are in the closed position the weight of the water behind them presses all the sealing faces together, creating the seal.
The whole of the Lock was refurbished in 1989 with new gates (manufactured by Ravestein BV of the Netherlands); new sluice paddles; and new control, hydraulic and electrical services.
A milestone repair completed in 2026
The existing lock gates have dry buoyancy chambers in their base and tidal upper chambers and weigh 250 tonnes.
The outer gates form a public right of way with access across the top of the gates . In 2025/26 RDW carried out extensive repairs on the outer lock gates granite cill located at the bottom of the Lock. The gates close against the cill creating a seal and preventing the water leaking out.
It is believed the cill was damaged by some form of drag dredging carried out many years ago. Works were completed in 2026 which means the quarter lock now holds water over night for the first time in 15 years.
Albert Island Craft Lock Gates
The Albert Island Craft Lock is located in the north-east corner of London’s Royal Docks. It consists of two sets of mitre gates in a lock approximately 18.98m long, 7.00m wide, and a cill depth above chart datum of 0.15m. The lock allows access into the Royal Albert Basin from the River Thames.
Keeping the floodgates fit for purpose
The whole of the Lock was refurbished in 2022 with both sets of gates removed, sand blasted and a 25 year paint finish. New in-gate sluice paddles were installed with new drive motors.
Currently, the Environment Agency Floodgates have an issue. They sit on the thames side the Lock and are mitred in reverse to the Lock gates. They are therefore designed to keep the water out. A set of stop logs have been installed in front of them to prevent water ingress.
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