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Approaching The Ridgeway near East Ilsley |
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Thames Path Route News
There are two new diversions to report:
Sandford: A bridge over a tributary is deemed unsafe and has been temporarily closed whilst investigations are made. In the meantime, the Path has been diverted along Route 5 cycle path which runs alongside the railway. The Path is rejoined just past Sandford Lock.
Abingdon: As you approach Abingdon in a downstream direction, the Path switches from the right bank to the left bank via a walkway across the weir. Due to corrosion, this walkway has been closed and the Path re-routed via Abingdon town centre. To be honest, most people will go this way as food, lodging and transportation is found in the town. So it’s impact is quite small. But, for locals who might want to have a short circular walk from the bridge to the weir and back, it will be quite frustrating.
Just as the season started we heard reports of a section of the Thames Path that was flooded at Waterhay in the Cotswold Water Park. This seemed implausible considering the Path was bone dry everywhere else. On investigation it turned out to be correct with water above the knee, and caused by blocked pipes within the water park drainage system.This has since been rectified and the water levels are back to normal. If you walk that way you will see the watermarks on the hedgerows.
On a positive note, huge improvements have been made to the Path at Ewen with a number of boardwalks being built across what was previously a notorious flood spot. Work has started on the Richmond diversion and work is nearing completion on the Benson weir. And the Environment Agency has revealed that £500,000 has been secured to progress work on both Temple Bridge and Marsh Lock bridges in Henley-on-Thames. We’ll bring more news of this in our next newsletter.
Long-standing diversions:
A diversion has opened up between Pinkhill Lock and Swinford Bridge as you approach Oxford. This is caused by a wooden bridge over a tributary that is deemed unsafe. Instead of crossing the river from the left to the right bank at Pinkhill Lock the diversion makes use of footpaths which take you through fields to the Eynsham Road. From there you can safely walk to Swinford Bridge. The diversion adds about 0.6 miles.
The diversion to avoid the closed boardwalk at Marsh Lock Henley now starts at Shiplake and takes you briefly into the Chilterns. The diversion adds an extra 1.0 miles to the walk although feedback that we’ve received is that it feels much longer! But, bear in mind that the distance from Shiplake to Henley is already 2.4 miles. So the diversion is therefore 3.4 miles in total.
The diversion at Temple Bridge is still in place following its closure. The diversion makes use of the lane running from Temple to Bisham and then a road with a pavement into Marlow
And damage to a bridge over a tributary has caused a diversion from just past the Runnymede Hotel to shortly before Staines. The diversion uses the A308 (pavements) returning the walker to the riverbank just before the bridge at Staines. The diversion replaces about 0.6 miles of the route with minimal added distance. The diversion is set to be in place until 2026. The signage for this diversion is not that obvious. Also note that you might find that the barricades preventing you getting onto the bridge have been removed. If so, this will have been unauthorised.
Between Richmond and Kew a section of the embankment has collapsed into the river. There is no way around meaning that section of the Path is temporarily closed. We advise you to follow the left bank through Isleworth and Brentford. However, development work is ongoing at the Grand Union Canal in Brentford with the Path being blocked. This can be avoided by skipping the walk along the canal and following Brentford High Street instead.
For a full list please see our route alerts page on the website.
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New Path at Ewen |
| Other Thames Path News There have been quite a few changes on the accommodation front: The Swan Inn, Lechlade‘s oldest pub, is under new management. For some years the pub has not offered food. That is all set to change along with some redecoration and new kitchens. The George and Dragon, wonderfully situated close to the bridge at Marlow, has changed hands. Previously a Premier Inn, the site has been purchased by Heartwood Inns who own a collection of pubs in the south of England, none of which are on the Thames Path. The inn is currently closed whilst refurbishment takes place. The Kings Arms at Hampton Court is closing down. This hotel has served us well for the past few years, offering a slightly more affordable option than the Mitre with views over the famous maze. We’re not sure what is happening to the building. |
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