Temple Footbridge

Temple footbridge was constructed in 1989 from tropical hardwood, with an approximate design life of 30 years, and crosses the River Thames upstream of Temple lock near Marlow.

Keeping the public safe is one of our highest priorities and we (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.

Recent update

The central section of the bridge that was removed in November 2025 has now been assessed at its offsite location. Unfortunately, its condition is beyond economical repair and will require replacement.

The side spans were inspected during February 2026 and were found to be in very poor condition. All structural elements including the main supporting beams, deck boards, and parapets show signs of extensive deterioration resulting in a significant loss of structural integrity.

The advanced degradation of the structural beams, along with the complexities of the bridge’s location over the River Thames, mean that refurbishment of the side spans has been deemed non-viable and therefore are also beyond economical repair.

For more information please visit this section