Engineers have given an insight into the recent work they carried out on Richmond Lock and Weir – and explained why it was an unusual year for the draw-off.

The 18-day lifting of the weir drew to a close on Friday (November 27).

The draw-off takes place every year for maintenance and repairs. The gates are lowered twice a day to ensure the depth of water remain at least 1.72 metres.

During an examination of the mechanisms that raise and lower the 32.6 tonne gates – checks which can only happen amid the draw-off – Geoff Galer of ET Marine and Industrial Engineering found loose bolts and damaging threading.

Speaking about the work as he was carrying it out, Geoff said: "We have removed the covers and are checking the gears and wires and lubricating them. We have found that some of the nuts on the gypsy wheel have come loose so we are carrying out repairs as we go."

Geoff told the Port of London Authority's Tidal Thames News that this draw-off was unusual as there were no exceptional tasks being carried out, just routine maintenance and inspection.

Sometimes during the draw-off period, a low tide combined with low rainfall produces the spectacular sight of the Thames being reduced to almost a trickle.

This year, heavy rain throughout the catchment area meant the river stayed deep without the help of the weir gates.

But even though the river bed only appeared in small patches, residents were not put off from exploring it – the opposite, in fact.

Record numbers applied to the Port of London Authority for a foreshore searching permit.

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