Thames footbridge reopens after three-year closure

A footbridge over the River Thames in south Oxfordshire has reopened after being closed for more than three years for safety reasons.

A structural survey of the bridge, which carries the Thames Path National Trail over Benson Weir, revealed the supports holding it up were corroded and damaged. It was shut in November 2022.

It has meant a lengthy detour or ferry ride for anyone walking the Thames Path – which is 185 miles long and runs from the source of the Thames in the Cotswolds to Woolwich in London.

The footbridge has been completely replaced and the weir upgraded to include a safety pass for fish and eels.

Operations Manager for the Environment Agency, Peter Collins, said they only planned to close the bridge for two years, but damage sustained to it in previous floods meant they had to close it during the year of planning as well.

"Now I'm really excited that the weir walkway will be open once again and people in Benson and beyond can enjoy the Thames Path connecting both sides of the river."

A full scale revamp of each small and large weir gate means the new weir can better control water levels all year round, including in periods of heavy flooding.

The £15.1m project by the Environment Agency was carried out from a floating platform, which meant it was affected by weather and river conditions.

In September 2024, prolonged wet weather led to high river levels making it unsafe for work to continue until spring 2025.

Water voles were also found at the site, which meant the main offices had to be moved upstream.

There are a further four footbridges closed over the River Thames.

They are at Marsh Lock in Henley, Temple Bridge near Marlow, Tenfoot in Faringdon and Bridge 142 near Egham.