Author: Leigh Hatts

A closed footbridge, half a mile from Staines, is now expected to remain out of use until 2027.

Bridge 142, still bearing its Thames Conservancy livery paint, carries the towpath over to one side of a hardly discernible island shortly before the M25 and Bell Weir Lock.

During 2023 the cast iron crossing was hit by a tree and in February last year it was closed after an inspection detected cracks.

A diversion was immediately put in place and at first expected to last for just six months.

Suddenly this November there has been some progress with an environmental survey and a further inspection by ground investigation specialists to decide the bridge replacement specification.

The diversion begins at a warning notice placed a quarter of a mile before Bridge 142 for those walking upstream.

The alternative is urban and quickly highlights how the Thames is a successful and vital green corridor isolating the walker from nearby noise and pollution.

DIVERSION: Turn inland, by a boat turned flower bed, down River Park Avenue. At the main road, called The Causeway, go right.

After passing under the M25 motorway, the pavement comes to an end at a crossing.

Cross over as indicated by the traffic/pedestrian lights.

Go right for a short distance to find path starting on the left. Follow this winding wooded path to the towpath and turn left.

Bell Weir Lock is ahead.

There is now a slightly improved route at Battersea Power Station allowing one to approach the river a little earlier after the Nine Elms diversion.

New Directions: Having turned off Battersea Park Road and into the wide Pump House Lane keep to the right side.

The wide road rises to a roundabout close to the power station. Go right along the east side of the building (left).

At the far end, as the road bears left, go half right down a footpath to reach the river.

Turn left with the water (right) to pass the power station (left). The way continues under Grosvenor Railway Bridge towards Battersea Park.

The towpath between Kew Bridge and Richmond has reopened having been closed for just over a year.

A ribbon was cut on Saturday morning on the short restored stretch of path by Kew councillor and deputy mayor Clare Vollum whose wide knowledge and interest in the river includes her Thames Strategy chairmanship.

The towpath at Kew is a causeway between the Thames and a flood channel which empties into the river just above Richmond railway bridge. At very high tide this outflow can take in water which travels back along the narrow channel to be deposited into the river at Kew where the breach occurred.

Richmond transport cabinet member Alexander Ehmann said the project presented the most challenging ground and tidal conditions.

‘Thousands of walkers, runners, cyclists and commuters use this route every year and it’s a crucial part of how we connect with the Thames, the environment, our communities and indeed how we connect with our past and seeing it open today is exactly why we do this work.’

Project manager Sam Emmett recalled that the breach occurred on 19 October last year and the team was on site by April with many consents having been required. Materials were brought upstream from Rainham.

Design engineer Judy Eid said that there were design complexities as the system of the towpath and drain dated back to the 1700s and there was no documentation of any repairs.

Speaking for contractors Conway, Toby Allen confirmed that the main work was delivered by river with close monitoring of tide times. A large crane was positioned on one of two pontoons and on average twenty individuals were on site each day.

The towpath between Kew Bridge and Richmond Lock is due to reopen later this morning.

A year ago the path was violently breached by fast moving water from a parallel culvert.

Yesterday afternoon as the autumn sun disappeared contractors still had vehicles on the path as they completed restoration work.

There will be a brief reopening ceremony at the Richmond end near the lock at 10am.

The towpath between Kew Bridge and Richmond will reopen next Saturday 8 November.

A reopening ceremony is due to take place at 10am near Richmond Lock.

A section of the towpath alongside Kew Gardens collapsed twelve months ago with tidal water gushing along a parallel culvert.

Those working on the repairs have faced challenging tidal and ground conditions which required additional piling and reinforcement to ensure the long-term stability of the path.

Later in the morning a very low tide is expected at 12.40pm thanks to the annual Richmond Draw-Off when lock gates stay open.

Wetherspoon has opened a new pub near London Bridge called The Sun Wharf.

The pub occupies the landlocked former London Dungeon attraction site under London Bridge Station whilst the confusing name relates to a nearby wharf lost in 1985.

The original Sun Wharf is under the huge No 1 London Bridge which forces the Thames Path inland. This modern building occupies three wharves: Fenning’s, Sun and Topping’s.

An indication of where Sun Wharf used to be can be found on the Thames Path in the narrow section of Tooley Street.

Having walked inland to turn right you pass a flower bed to the right. Here on the ground are two metal strips marking the entrance to Topping’s Wharf.

The small Sun Wharf with its single riverside crane was opposite the third tree ahead and just before the building line curves to further narrow the street. The curve follows the boundary of the lost Fenning’s Wharf.

Sun Wharf handled Australian produce whilst in the early 20th century Topping’s was occupied by Perrier.

The new pub’s moderately priced Wetherspoon menu offers a handy alternative to eateries around Borough Market.

Open daily 6.30am, for breakfast, until 12.30am.

Directions to The Sun Wharf pub from the Thames Path: On having turned inland just before London Bridge do not then go right towards the bridge but half left to the road junction. The Sun Wharf pub is opposite on the far side of the main road.

Work is due to start this morning on removing the central span of Temple Bridge.

The footbridge, upstream of Marlow, has been closed since 2023 when it was suddenly deemed to be unsafe.

The work should take about a week.

However, no decision has been made about restoration or rebuilding and there is certainly no funding currently available.

The cost of this week’s dismantling may be as much as £300,000. Full replacement could potentially cost around £2.5million.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is expected to eventually meet the major part of the cost with possible contributions from Oxfordshire County Council and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

An indication of a way forward could be made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in next year’s Budget after final costings are made available.

The bridge, replacing a ferry lost in 1953, is a vital link in the Thames Path. The current diversion via Bisham involves walking along a narrow and unpleasant main road.

The closed crossing, a 267 foot West African hardwood single span, is only 36 years old which has raised questions about a possible lack of maintenance.

Environment Secretary Virginia Bottomley performed the opening ceremony eight years ahead of the Thames Path inauguration.

The last Sunday in September sees sheep being driven across Southwark Bridge.

In medieval times sheep farmers drove their sheep northwards across London Bridge into the City of London to sell them at Smithfield

Those farmers who were Freemen of the City were excused paying the bridge toll.

This century the City’s ancient Woolmen’s Company, founded in 1180, has each autumn invited a freeman to drive sheep across one of the bridges.

Although London Bridge has been used it in now the queiter Southwark Bridge where the annual sheep drive is held.

It is staged as a charity event raising funds for The Woolmen Charity and The Lord Mayor’s Appeal.

A well-known freeman is invited to drive the first sheep over the water before others follow.

One year Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen was in the lead.

This year farmer and BBC Countryfile presenter Adam Henson joined in.

Walkers will find the path between Albert and Victoria Bridges in Datchet closed today Wednesday 17 September due to the US State Visit.

Datchet has good views of Windsor Castle and its Home Park across the river.

The Red Arrows will be over Datchet just before 4.45pm but the best place to view the fly past is from The Brocas meadow upstream of Windsor Bridge. It is planned to be east to west over the castle towards Clewer village on the opposite bank. Expect a lot of photographers.

In central London the Honourable Artillery Company will be firing a 46 gun salute across the River Thames at noon from the Tower of London as Donald Trump arrives upstream in Windsor.

At the same time the King’s Troop will fire a salute at Windsor Castle.

Although President Trump and his wife will be leaving Windsor Castle on Thursday morning it is unlikely that the Datchet path will be reopened before Friday morning.

Doggett’s Coat and Badge rowing race is on the River Thames today Wednesday 10 September.

You may see the single sculling boats being raced by apprentice watermen from London Bridge to Chelsea. Founder Thomas Doggett used to commute by water from his home in Chelsea to the City of London.

This is the world’s oldest continuous rowing race having been held since 1715.

The winner’s prize is a Watermen’s red coat with a large silver badge added.

The race starts on an incoming tide at 12.15 and Chelsea is usually reached within thirty minutes.

City livery cutters are expected to be on the water downstream of London Bridge from 11.30pm.