The Environment Agency is to spend £13.2m this winter on essential repairs and improvements to hundreds of navigational sites and structures along the UK rivers under its care.

The River Thames heads the winter programme, with almost £6m of works being carried out – with the largest project being in Teddington, where £850,000 will be spent on major repairs to the Lock Island.

Work on installing nine new landing stages on the River Great Ouse by 2012, which began earlier this year, will also continue.

Julia Simpson, head of recreation, navigation and marine at the Environment Agency, said: “Thanks to enhanced funding from Defra, we have made great strides in tackling much-needed jobs, such as replacing old lock gates, on our waterways over the past two years.

“These crucial works help to make the rivers safer and more accessible, so it’s great that we’ve got the support to carry on making progress.” Details: www.environment-agency.gov.uk