Thames Area assets

The footpath over Benson Weir unfortunately needed to be closed in November 2022 due to increasing safety concerns resulting from the accelerated weakening of the overall structure. It has been affected in recent years by the impact of floating objects against the deteriorated steelwork.

Our project team developed a business case during 2023 to secure the funding to progress the design and construction work. Technical designs for the new weir were completed in January 2024, and construction started in June 2024.

Creating the new weir

This significant project needed to be delivered over a 2-year period due to its scale and complexity. Periods of high flows during the construction work increased the complexity and duration of this project as our contractor used floating pontoons to position all of their cranes and equipment.

We prioritised the replacement of the weir gates to enable our operational staff to be able to continue managing River Thames flows throughout the project. Our contractor then focused on the creation of a new structure that allows many fish and eel species to pass easily though the weir structure. This fish / eel pass will help to improve the overall biodiversity of the non-tidal Thames and is something that we aim to achieve with every major weir refurbishment.

We have also improved the weir guarding system that reduces the likelihood of objects hitting the new weir during periods of increased river flow.

Our contractor has substantially completed the weir replacement works, and the weir walkway will re-open at 9am on 1 April 2026. The improved walkway over the weir has an increased width of 1.5m, compared to the previous 0.9m. This will allow more Thames Path users to walk over the weir freely and also allows for our operational staff to adjust the weir gates when needed without obstructing walkers.

For more detail please visit this section. or email enquiries_thm@environment-agency.gov.uk

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

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

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