Thames Path Route News
There are two new diversions to report, one of which, so far, has not really been a diversion. Just downstream of Folly Bridge in Oxford work is underway to repair the riverbank. It was supposed to require a diversion. Our last visit showed minimal work with minimal impact. So it seems we got away with that one!
The other is between Castle Eaton and Hannington Bridge where two bridges across ditches are being repaired. The diversion is well signposted and requires no additional mileage.
We’re a little disappointed with the lack of communication on the Richmond diversion, which, we thought, was nearing completion. Perhaps it is but it would be nice to hear something.
We reported in our last newsletter about missing signs on the Shiplake to Henley diversion. We have alerted this to the National Trails office and offered to place signs for them, an offer they couldn’t refuse! We’re now just waiting to hear when we can collect the signs.
A number of walkers have had their days disrupted by the presence of cows blocking gates. Whilst it’s tempting to grumble at farmers, we have to remember we’re crossing their land and this is their livelihood. Fencing off the Path solves a problem but, in winter, a narrow path becomes a quagmire. All we can suggest is patience. After all, cows graze which means they will move. Alternatively someone may come along who is more inclined to move the bovines along.
As always, all of these are listed our route alerts page on the website. A question was asked on social media as to how up-to-date the content is. Well, we keep it as up-to-date as best we can given that this is a free service and we have limited resources. Some confusion arose over the fact that we include flood alerts on the page, of which there have been none for some months. We leave these on as it’s much quicker to update the status rather than create a new one – explained on the page. But all have status updates saying “all clear”. Nonetheless we plan to split the alerts into two pages: one for flooding and one for diversions. Watch out for that soon – we hope!
Long-standing diversions:
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.
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.
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. | 
