Essex Waterways Ltd. maintains and operates the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation. It has remained open and independently run throughout its history.
maintains and operates the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation which runs through a largely unspoilt part of rural Essex and connects the county town of Chelmsford with the tidal estuary of the river Blackwater at Heybridge Basin. Never having been nationalised, it continued to carry commercial freight till 1972, and an increasing number of leisure users since that time. It was designed by the renow
10/07/2026
Due to the ongoing public safety issues and anti social behaviour plus staff being verbally abused and threatened when asking people to move on for their own safety we have made the unfortunate decision to fence off the weir-pool at papermill lock. This is not a decision we have made lightly as we appreciate the appeal of papermill however we have to put the safety of the public first.
08/07/2026
When temperatures rise and water in our rivers and stillwaters warms beyond 19°C, fish can become stressed.
If you see dead fish, fish in distress or gasping at the surface, call our helpline on 0800 80 70 60 and alert the fishery owner or angling club.
Read the Angling Trust's advice on how to keep fish safe during hot weather and if in doubt, don’t fish: https://anglingtrust.net/2025/07/16/fishing-during-hot-weather/?fbclid=IwY2xjawS4Xx1leHRuA2FlbQIxMA%E2%80%A6
01/07/2026
SCAM ALERT!
Please be aware that you CANNOT book and pay to hire our kayaks and canoes online.
If you are interested in hiring a kayak or canoe please come to the Navigation Office at Paper Mill Lock between 9 a.m. and 2.30 p.m., daily. These CANNOT be prebooked. Please call before arriving to avoid disappointment 01245 226245.
THESE CANNOT BE BOOKED ONLINE!
26/06/2026
To keep everyone safe, we will NOT be hiring out kayaks or canoes again today.
Please always call our office beforehand on 01245 226245 to avoid disappointment.
We are NOT hiring out kayaks or canoes for the remainder of this week. Please call to check before arriving on 01245 226245.
Even the ducks are trying to find shade.
Stay safe. Stay cool!
24/06/2026
Day 1 of the heat wave and this is how our beautiful navigation now looks 😪😪. It really is soul destroying how people behave. It feels like this is the 100th time making a post like this and the majority of the people that will see it are the ones that enjoy the navigation respectfully. We urge you share it far and wide so that as many people as possible can see it and it will hopefully begin reaching the terrible humans that feel that this is a suitable way to treat their environment.
This is only a tiny part of the riverside
24/06/2026
The Fire Service will be carrying out some free training tomorrow (25th June 2026) at Paper Mill Lock, 10 am.. Until 12 p.m. so do come along and see them.
24/06/2026
We are NOT hiring out kayaks or canoes for the remainder of this week. Please call to check before arriving on 01245 226245.
Even the ducks are trying to find shade.
Stay safe. Stay cool!
23/06/2026
| Monday | 9am - 4pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 4pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 4pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 4pm |
| Friday | 9am - 4pm |
| Saturday | 9am - 4pm |
| Sunday | 9am - 4pm |