Thames Area assets

In the Thames area we have a wide range of assets, including locks, weirs, flood defences, boat moorings and monitoring stations for air and water quality. Flood defences can include embankments, walls, flood gates and flood diversion channels. Our assets help to protect people, property, and the environment from flooding, drought and pollution.


We regularly receive enquiries about our work. This page will highlight the assets that we we receive the highest level of interest for. You will find asset information, frequently asked questions, and latest news. If you are interested in an asset not given here, please email our enquiries team.

To ensure you receive notifications about our most recent work for these sites, register with us and then subscribe to follow this page. Links to do this are in the information bar.

The Environment Agency can carry out maintenance, improvement, or construction work on main rivers to manage flood risk and protect the environment. This is done using our permissive powers under the Water Resources Act 1991. You can learn more about the Water Resources Act 1991 through this link. Any work we carry out using these powers is subject to available funding and resources.

Responsibility for maintaining main rivers ultimately remains with the riparian land owner. All watercourses not designated main river are ordinary watercourses and the Lead Local Flood Authority has similar permissive powers on these. To find out more about riparian responsibilities visit the two links below:

In the Thames area we have a wide range of assets, including locks, weirs, flood defences, boat moorings and monitoring stations for air and water quality. Flood defences can include embankments, walls, flood gates and flood diversion channels. Our assets help to protect people, property, and the environment from flooding, drought and pollution.


We regularly receive enquiries about our work. This page will highlight the assets that we we receive the highest level of interest for. You will find asset information, frequently asked questions, and latest news. If you are interested in an asset not given here, please email our enquiries team.

To ensure you receive notifications about our most recent work for these sites, register with us and then subscribe to follow this page. Links to do this are in the information bar.

The Environment Agency can carry out maintenance, improvement, or construction work on main rivers to manage flood risk and protect the environment. This is done using our permissive powers under the Water Resources Act 1991. You can learn more about the Water Resources Act 1991 through this link. Any work we carry out using these powers is subject to available funding and resources.

Responsibility for maintaining main rivers ultimately remains with the riparian land owner. All watercourses not designated main river are ordinary watercourses and the Lead Local Flood Authority has similar permissive powers on these. To find out more about riparian responsibilities visit the two links below:

  • Temple Footbridge closure

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    Temple footbridge crosses the River Thames upstream of Temple lock near Marlow.

    Our contractor re-mobilised on Monday, 3 November 2025, following a temporary pause to allow river users access through Temple during half term week.

    They constructed the bridge lifting assemblies on the floating pontoon throughout the early part of the week and then carried out a successful test lift of the centre span on Thursday 8 November 2025. As the test lift went well, they decided to continue with the main lift to remove the centre span. This carefully controlled process included incrementally jacking the section upwards whilst ensuring it was not snagging on the outer spans. The central span was finally fully disconnected from the outer spans after a 9-hour seamless operation.

    The centre span will now be fully lowered and moved to a secure location for inspection and storage. Once the inspection is complete, we will determine whether the bridge can be refurbished or requires replacement.

    For more information visit this section

  • Ten Foot Bridge

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    Ten Foot bridge crosses the River Thames between Rushey and Shifford locks near Buckland village in Faringdon.

    Keeping the public safe is one of our highest priorities and therefore following a structural inspection regrettably closed the bridge in March 2024 due to numerous structural and safety concerns.

    Following the initial bridge inspection, a follow-up specialist survey of the bridge has been completed to fully understand the structural issues associated with the bridge.

    For more information visit this section

  • Teddington Launch Lock repairs update

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    The Environment Agency is carrying out improvement works to refurbish and recondition the Teddington Launch Lock that will result in a reliable, operational lock.

    We’re pleased to confirm that our construction partner, Bam Nuttal, mobilised to site on Monday, 15 September 2025 to begin the refurbishment works at Teddington Launch Lock.

    The project team have installed site compounds and welfare facilities at Ham Street Car Park and Teddington Lock.

    Please note, the Thames path at Teddington Lock and Ham Street car park will be diverted for short periods of time throughout the works and will be clearly marked on site.

    Use of the Teddington Barge Lock will continue throughout construction to maintain navigation.

    For more information visit this section

  • Marsh Head Horsebridge

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    Marsh Head Horsebridge is situated near Marsh Lock, Henley, Oxfordshire. It is one of two footbridges of similar construction in this location. The bridges carry a public right of way from Henley past Marsh Lock and are part of the Thames Path National Trail.

    Keeping the public safe is one of our highest priorities and therefore following a structural inspection, we regrettably closed Marsh Head Horsebridge in May 2022 due to numerous structural and safety concerns.

    The refurbishment of this bridge is being treated as a priority as we know how important it is to both local people and visitors using the Thames Path.

    An outline design for the bridge refurbishment or replacement is planned for this financial year. This design will be used to determine the next phase of design, construction as well as the overall funding strategy. Unfortunately, there are no confirmed dates for the construction work yet, but more information will be shared on this page as it becomes available.

    We are grateful to all our customers and stakeholders for their ongoing patience.

    This is our latest update. To learn more about the closure of Marsh Head Horsebridge Visit this section

  • Abingdon Weir Walkway

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    The weir walkway at Abingdon will remain open after 30 September 2025 until river flows increase.

    The walkway supporting structure continues to need refurbishment in order to achieve its full design strength. It therefore remains at risk from impact damage during high flows. We are progressing the necessary strengthen works but will have to temporarily close the walkway when river flows increase in order to safeguard our customers. Once our contractor is able to mobilise to site, to complete the strengthening work, we will also temporarily close the walkway during the construction period.

    We appreciate all our customers' patience while we progress this important work and are grateful to everyone for continuing to use the footpath diversion when the weir walkway is temporarily closed.

    To learn more visit this section

  • Bridge 142 - River Thames Egham

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    Following a tree strike in 2023 an inspection of this 90 year old bridge highlighted significant safety risks caused by cracks within the cast iron structure and one of the bridge supports.

    Keeping the public safe is one of our highest priorities and we therefore closed Bridge 142 in February 2024.

    We have closed a section of the Thames path, just south of the Runnymede Bridge/ M25 bridge between the Runnymede Hotel and north of Staines. There is an alternative safe route in place.

    The Environment Agency is sympathetic to the concerns raised by the Thames Path organisation and the local community and we apologise for the ongoing disruption. We are committed to keeping everyone updated on our progress.

    To learn more visit this section



  • Penton Hook Island temporary closure

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    We have had to close Penton Hook Island temporarily to the public.

    We apologise for any disruption this closure may be causing. We know the importance of this site to the local community and we are committed to keeping everyone updated on our progress.

    Keeping the public safe is one of our priorities. Unfortunately, we have had to close Penton Hook Island to the public because a survey identified trees that present a safety hazard, some with ash dieback disease.

    These trees pose a high risk of injury to people from falling branches, collapsing trees and branches on the ground causing trip hazards.

    To learn more please visit this section.

Page last updated: 18 Nov 2025, 08:55 AM