I have just heard from the Environment Agency that work is to begin work atRadcot lock to replace the old manual weir with modern motorised gates. The weir at Radcot Lock dates back several centuries. It retains a head ofwater upstream, creating enough depth to allow boats to navigate the river.After the 2007 floods an assessment concluded that the weir at Radcot shouldno longer be operated manually due to the high risk of injury to operators.With an inoperable weir the Environment Agency would have less control overwater levels and flood risk to the local area would increase. Removing theweir permanently would prevent boats from travelling along the river andwould adversely affect the biodiversity and natural appearance of the river. Radcot is one of five Thames area weirs to be replaced by October 2011.Construction work is due to begin in April 2010 and will continue over twosummer seasons until the end of October 2011. Radcot Lock will remainoperational throughout, with only minor impacts on normal function.