THE REPLACEMENT OF TEMPLE BRIDGE over the Thames will not start until over a year.
The footbridge, upstream of Temple Lock near Marlow, was closed in 2023, Janet Friend reports.
Enviroment Agency inspection
This was after a Environment Agency inspection, that discovered ‘numerous structural and safety concerns’ and has remained closed since.
The footbridge over the river is part of the Thames Path but work on either its repair or replacement will not start until at least another year—2027.
It was in May this year that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs invested £500,000 towards repair works, split equally between Temple Bridge and Marsh Lock Horse Bridge in Henley.
Then in November the damaged central section of Temple Footbridge was removed, with the operation taking just nine hours.
Back in use in 2028
Yet the necessary repair or replacement it is told could take another year, meaning that it could be 2028 before the bridge is back in use.
It will not be until 30th October next year until an outline design for the future works will then be published.
With Temple Bridge closed walkers on the Thames Path have to use a 60mph road then use Marlow Bridge to cross the river that adds up to a four miles detour.