Thames Path News Round-Up

Route News

The river bank has collapsed on a short stretch between Swinford Bridge and Eynsham Lock. The Path is closed whilst repairs are undertaken. This is likely to last about 3 weeks.A diversion is in place. Walk 100 yards along the road and away from the bridge. There is a path to your left which will take you back to the river and beyond the collapsed bank.

The footbridge at Little Wittenham is under repair and therefore closed until early April. This means that there is no access to Wittenham Clumps or Shillingford detours from the Thames Path.

There’s been a development on the Marsh Lock diversion near Henley. We reported previously that the landowner, who had graciously agreed to allow a diversion over his land, was becoming impatient with the lack of progress by the Environment Agency on repairing the boardwalk and was threatening to withdraw his offer. Following a meeting with the Environment Agency and the National Trails office this threat has been withdrawn. More details of the diversion are shown below.

The Henley Toad Patrol is back. Around this time every year, thousands of toads make a perilous journey across the A4155 between Henley and Marlow heading to the river. At the last count 790 toads had been carried across in buckets.

A blue plaque has been installed at 149 Lower Road, Rotherhithe , where Ada Salter was born in 1846. Salter was a social reformer and local politician. There is a small statue of her and her family on the Thames Path as you approach Rotherhithe

Other diversions currently in place:

The weir at Benson Lock has been temporarily closed due to strong currents and debris creating a risk of damage. You will need to follow side roads through Crowmarsh Gifford. The route is well marked. The closure is likely to be in place until well into the spring.

Diversions remain in place around the closed boardwalk upstream from Marsh Lock, Henley. If walking downstream, there seems to be a sign missing: if you get to the fenced off boardwalk leading to Marsh Lock then you’ve missed the turn. There is a path leading to your left about 20 yards before the boardwalk. 

Webinars 

Our next webinar will be on March 21 and will be Thames Path: Staines to Thames Barrier/Woolwich. This is followed by our last of the season which is an overview of The Ridgeway. Webinars are held every Tuesday at 8pm (GMT) and are completely free. All webinars are via Zoom and last for one hour. And you don’t need a Zoom account to join! However, you will need to register to be get the dial in details.