Oliver’s Ait, opposite Strand on the Green, is likely to have its trees thinned and its shoreline renewed this autumn.
The island is a haven for birds.
The Port of London Authority is holding a drop-in consultation session on Tuesday 20 September from 2pm to 8pm at Chiswick Pier Trust, The Pier House, Corney Reach Way W4 2UG.
The island is named after Oliver Cromwell although the connection has never been clear.
See page 54.
All stiles on the Thames Path within Oxfordshire have now been replaced with kissing gates.
Oxfordshire County Council has care of 67 miles of Thames Path.
This seems a shame but the countryside is always changing and this does make it more accessible for some.
I have just been walking along the Thames Path at Reading.
Some stretches are closed or about to be for path work. However, this is temporary but the the closure of pubs seems to be more long term.
The Roebuck at Tilehurst is still empty and looking really bleak with the path closed sign at the side.
Passing through Cudham recently it was a shame not to be able to walk up to the Lion which has shut for ever. The frame for the pub sign is empty. One has to walk on to Abingdon where the Nag’s Head on the bridge is still closed.
Or try the George and Dragon in Sutton Courtenay opposite Cudham.
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The path between Reading Bridge and Caversham Bridge is likely to be closed until about Friday 12 August. This is for resurfacing work. It’s a surprising time to do this but the alternative is the pleasant left bank giving a new view of Fry’s Island.
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The towpath closure which begins in Reading, just west of Caversham Bridge, and runs as far as Tilehurst is likely to remain place until the end of August.
This is allow for resurfacing work.
The diversion is along Cow Lane, right into Portman Road and right into Oxford Road which the National Trail joins beyond Tilehurst Station. It can be rather a grim walk on a hot summer day.
See page 129.
The towpath between Hammersmith Bridge and Ferry Lane, at the beginning of the Leg O’Mutton nature reserve, will be closed in the daytime 7am-6pm from Monday 18 to Friday 22 July. Another closure week follows from Monday 1 August.
The diversion is south from the bridge along Castelnau, right into Lonsdale Road and right again into Ferry Lane by the Swedish School.
See pages 51-52.
In order for the cable car across the Thames to be installed before the Olympics there is going to be another Thames Path closure on the Greenwich peninsula.
Phoenix Wharf, the stretch between the football ground and the Dome pier, will close from Monday 1 August until the end of the year.
The planned alternative route is at present unclear but it will be roughly mean that a diversion will start just beyond the Millennium Village. Walkers will have to turn inland along the cycleway and then turn north-west up East Parkside. At Edmund Halley Way there will be asigned route back to the river just north of the pier.
It should still be possible to enjoy the path round Blackwall Reach on the north side of the 02 Dome.
See page 14.
The towpath opposite Henley, between Remenham and Henley Bridge, is to be diverted during the Henley Festival despite the efforts of the Henley-based Open Spaces Society.
The Festival follows the Henley Royal Regatta which means that part of the towpath will be closed to walkers between Wednesday 6 July to Tuesday 12 July whilst seating and a floating stage is in place.
During most of this period the length of towpath closed will be about a quarter of a mile and walkers will have to follow temporary waymarks.
See page 114.
There are plans to rebuild the iron Whitchurch Bridge which opened in 1902.
The first bridge was erected in 1792. Todayt’s listed early Edwardian toll crossing was built when cars were still outnumbered by horse and cart. The planned works are intended to strengthen the bridge which is now used by heavy lorries.
The cost is about £3m and already there have been protests about the toll being being doubled to 40p. Once carriages paid just two pence for each wheel.
If planning permission is given it is expected that work will take place next year when there will be a temporary bridge alongside for pedestrians.
See pages 134 and 135.