Essex Waterways Ltd.

10/06/2026

Last Monday we had a group from M and G investments join us for their corporate day, This was their fourth time joining us for a corporate day and we were very pleased to have them! They helped us to tidy around our workshop at heybridge basin and gave it a well needed coat of paint in the morning. After lunch they helped us to mix and pour a new concrete pad for storage behind the workshop. Thank you to all of the group that came along, The help was much appreciated and we hope to see you again soon!

If your company is interested in joining us for a corporate day and helping out on the navigation please email [email protected]

03/06/2026

Why now grab a tasty treat from the Bargemaster’s Cabin before stepping aboard Blackwater Dawn at Heybridge Basin.

Boat trips are bookable online at www.bookeo.com/canaltrip or call our navigation office on 01245 226245.

🚨It’s here! June’s burger of the month is a biggy! 🚨

This month we bring you The Brunch Burger. Ansell’s prime cuts 1/4 pound beef patty topped with their crispy back bacon, free range fried egg, American cheese and a spiced tomato relish. All served on a bed of crisp salad in a locally sourced bun. 🐖🐄🍳🍅

This is not one to be missed to grab yours whilst you can!

01/06/2026

It’s Volunteer Week, and we’d like to say a huge heartfelt thank you to all of our amazing volunteers.

From cutting grass and litter picking (there’s certainly been plenty of that recently!), to painting, building, skippering and crewing our trip boats, the list goes on.

Your dedication, hard work and support help keep Essex Waterways running and looking its best, and we truly appreciate every contribution you make.

Thank you for everything you do, we simply couldn’t do it without you. ❤️

30/05/2026

Many of you may seen our workboat “Julie” on the move on Thursday being pushed along by “city boat” the tender that used to run trips in Chelmsford city centre. “Julie” was on the move carrying our dams and heras fencing so that we can carry out some repairs to rushes lock. Unfortunately Julie’s engine which is a fordson tractor engine with a harbourmaster conversion is suffering some technical issues hence why it was being pushed along rather than moving under its own steam. It was moved from little baddow down to ulting ready to get to work. It was a busy day and it was brilliant to see so many people interested in this historic vessel! Unfortunately we did have some issues with anti social behaviour and large groups of kids causing a nuisance to our passage at rushes lock. They decided jumping infront of the boat and untying “city boat” whilst we were trying to do the lock was a good idea and threatened lengthsmen for using the lock. However apart from that it was a brilliant day out on the water!

28/05/2026

For those of you who love the ambiance and peace of the Navigation here is the day (today) of a river warden, starts with 7.30 am, collect 15 bags of rubbish from Rushes Lock then 6 from Ricketts, pull out picnic tables and black council bin from the water at papermill, clean graffiti from signs at baddow and collect another 22 bags of rubbish, return to papermill and find Victoria the trip boat has smashed windows from last night.
Attend rushes lock where lengthsmen were threatened by around 40 youths one with a knife trying to cut the ropes of boat whilst trying to bring a boat through the lock, get swamped by around 20, 15 to 16 yr old wannabe gangsters telling me its their lock! Deal with a field on fire at Rushes Lock with fire service due to an uncontrolled bbq, then at end of day abused by a Group of 10 yr olds drunk on WKD at Hoe throwing bottles and trying to insult me.
Not to mention youths of all ages jumping from bridges, leaving themselves at risk from cold water shock or unseen hazards in the water and a threat to those below.
As the River Warden I want to thank the Wombles, Paddle boarders our volunteers and those who litter pick for us along the the river.

As a not for profit charity we maintain and keep the navigation open for all to enjoy, however abuse of staff and damage to property has TO STOP!
Please respect the river and those who keep it safe for you to enjoy!

28/05/2026

Yet another few days of carnage! The navigation has still been exceptionally busy this week with hundred of kids and adults gathering at the locks to swim (which is dangerous and not allowed). This was the unfortunate scene at little baddow lock this morning where there was a lot of litter and several acts of vandalism which we will now need to spend valuable time repairing. There’s has been some hope through the week though as we have met several members of the public out on litter picks and doing what they can to help. The efforts made by those that have helped out where they can is greatly appreciated by us as a charity and not at all wasted! Thank you to you all!

27/05/2026

If your feeling too lazy to go for a paddle board or kayak but still want to enjoy the tranquility of the navigation why not hop aboard one of our trip boats: Blackwater dawn (at heybridge basin) or Albert (at papermill).
You can do this via the link www.bookeo.com/canaltrip or call the office on 01245226245

26/05/2026

This is a small portion of the litter that has been collected today alone. The weather is warm and we understand how attractive the navigation is in the warm weather to go for a swim or a paddle board however the attitude towards the countryside displayed by people over the weekend has been utterly disgraceful. Staff have been verbally abused over £6 paddle board licenses and asking groups of young people not to swim in the locks. Roads have been completely blocked by people’s poor parking. Disposable barbecues have been used infront of no barbecue signs and the litter has been horrendous. The hard work we do to keep the navigation in the best condition feels utterly wasted when we see these actions displayed by people. If your reading this and your a parent with teenagers please can we urge you to have a word with them about the dangers of swimming in locks and rivers and jumping off of bridges into shallow water but also how to respect the countryside. If your an adult that has visited the river this weekend and chose it to be acceptable to abuse staff and leave litter you should seriously consider what example your setting to the younger generations around you. At the end of the day our staff are just doing their jobs and trying to care for the river the best they can the last thing they need is abuse from groups of teenagers and individuals and to spend a day in the sweltering heat collecting other people’s rubbish.

22/05/2026

As the weather is nice and warm and we near the bank holiday weekend we would like to kindly remind everyone to be safe around the water. Jumping from bridges and swimming in locks can be very dangerous due to hidden obstructions and strong currents. Please be safe and have a good weekend!

If your paddle boarding or canoeing this weekend don’t forget to purchase a license, this can be done via our website or in person at our office at papermill lock.

Please also be advised it is still close season for fishing until the 16th of June. Fishing during this time is not allowed at all and can land you a large fine from the environment agency.