Improvement scheme

The works, which began in September are part of a scheme to improve 10 locks along the Medway, the majority of which will be given fish passes to allow the river’s population of pike, perch, roach and common bream to navigate the span.

East Farleigh is the second lock boaters arrive at if visiting from the tidal river and heading upstream.

While shut it cuts off hundreds of boats from nearby marinas from using half the river, including around 150 who head up to Medway for Rochester’s Sweeps Festival in April.

The scheduled June finish date also falls close to the much-anticipated returned of the Maidstone River Festival on July 29 after a three-year absence and the mayor’s annual Court of Survey Cruise.