Lock at Port Solent to close temporarily next year

Premier Marinas is advising berth holders that the lock at Port Solent Marina will be temporarily closed for maintenance from the end of January.

The £150,000 project, which happens every one to two years to reduce the risk of lock failure, will take place between 29 January 2018 and 16 February 2018.

Premier Marinas said the shutdown is slightly longer than in previous years as the lock’s hydraulic rams will be serviced and replaced, anodes will be fitted and timber replaced.

The bottom bearing of the outer lock gates is also being replaced which requires precision engineering.
Berth holders at Port Solent are being advised that as the lock will be completely drained for the work, no boats will be able to pass through during this time.

Those wishing to use their boats during the maintenance period are able to stay at Gosport or Southsea Marina at no extra cost, subject to berth availability.

Meanwhile, Premier Marinas and its contractors have submitted a planning application to dredge the approach channel to Southsea Marina during the spring.

It said the dredge is to restore the channel to published chart datum depth and to realign it with the channel markers, including access to the marina and its waiting pontoon.

The channel was last dredged in 2004/2005 using water injection. This time, a backhoe and barge will be used as Premier believes it will be more effective in removing solid lumps.