Teddington Lock on the River Thames. Teddington Lock the first pound lock, built by the City of London, opened to river traffic here in 1811 and it was located beneath the steel footbridge by the lock. Due to problems with water levels caused by the removal of the old London Bridge, a new lock was built a short way downstream in 1857 – this is the current ‘launch’ lock.
Later in 1904 the huge ‘barge’ lock was built alongside the launch lock. This new lock is a mighty 198.12 metres long (650ft) and, along with the other two Teddington locks, shares the greatest depth with Sandford at 2.68 metres (8ft 10in) to the maintained level at Richmond.