Thames Area assets

Keeping the public safe is one of our highest priorities and the Environment Agency closed Temple Footbridge on 15 May 2023 due to numerous structural and safety concerns. We know the bridge is important to both local people and visitors using the Thames Path, and we are treating this matter as a priority.

On Thursday 8 November 2025 the main lift to remove the centre span took place. 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 was fully lowered and moved to a secure location for inspection and storage.

The river is now fully open for Navigation.

Next Phase

Following a full assessment of the central section we can confirm this part of the bridge is beyond economical repair and will need to be replaced.

The team has now moved onto the next phase, which is to assess the integrity of the two side sections. Both sections are fragile, due to the rot in the deck board and parapets, and we are currently working with our contractor to develop a safe inspection method to do this. We are confident that an approach will be agreed and the inspection will be complete by mid-February. This information will allow us to determine whether the side spans can be refurbished, or whether a full bridge replacement is required.

We have asked our contractor to present an options study to us by the end of March 2026.

Outline designs for the bridge refurbishment or replacement are planned for completion by 31 March 2026. This design will be used to determine the next phase of design and construction. It will inform project cost estimates, our partnership funding strategy, and further communications. We are currently reviewing suitable government delivery frameworks to ensure the most appropriate contractor is identified

A footpath diversion on designated footpaths and road crossings will remain in place. This is due to be reassessed by the end of January 2026 with our contractor to see if any improvements can be made to the diversion currently in situ.

For more information please visit this section

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 Lauch Lock Reconstruction

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

In September 2025, our construction partner, Bam Nuttal, mobilised to site to begin the refurbishment works. To date, the team has completed ground investigations, removed the upstream lock gates, and installed the upstream stop logs / propping throughout the lock chamber to support the lock during construction.

Following the Christmas break, the site team have removed the downstream lock gates and have installed a temporary stop log barrier in their place. They will now begin to dewater the lock chamber to allow engineers access to the lock chamber to continue the works. Both sets of lock gates have been removed from site for inspection and repairs.

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.

Teddington Barge Lock will continue to be the primary lock for our Navigation customers throughout Launch Lock’s re-construction. Once the Launch Lock is returned to operational service, it will become the primary lock for Navigation.

We anticipate the project will be on site for approximately one year, with the lock likely to reopen in late Summer 2026. The project will deliver improvements that enhance the safety, functionality, and resilience of Teddington Lock.

We are working closely with Richmond and Wandsworth Councils to give advanced warning of any diversions and to limit the inconvenience to our customers.

For more information visit this section

The weir walkway at Abingdon was re-opened on 30 September 2025.

Following further inspections and an assessment of the structure, procedures were put in place to identify the trigger points for the closure of the weir during high flows. When the hand radial gates are due to be operated, and the trigger point is reached the walkway will need to be closed until flows decrease.

The agreed trigger level has now been reached so the walkway unfortunately needs to be closed and the hand radial gates are in operation.

Once the flows have receded and the hand radial section of the weir is no longer required to operate there will be another inspection to assess if the structure has deteriorated. If there is no visible change then the weir walkway can be reopened to the public.

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

To learn more visit this section

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

To learn more please visit this section.