Outline designs for a new footbridge over the River Thames near Hurley have been received by the Environment Agency.
In April, confirmation came that the long-closed Temple Bridge would need to be completely replaced, following an assessment of its sections.
The bridge provided a pedestrian crossing over the River Thames, just upstream of Temple Lock from 1989 until 2023 when it closed, after surveyors from the EA said it had ‘deteriorated faster than expected’.
Since its closure, residents and community figures such as Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds have criticised the speed of repairs and the ‘dangerous’ diversion which takes people onto the 60mph Temple Lane.
In May last year, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) invested £500,000 into works, split equality between both Temple Bridge and Marsh Lock Horsebridge in Henley.
The EA confirmed that the damaged central section of Temple Bridge was ‘beyond economical repair’ and in need of replacement.
Following this the agency inspected the side spans of the bridge and said it had received a report determining that the bridge ‘requires complete replacement’.
In an update, the EA said that it has received the outline designs ‘of potential bridge replacement options’ and is now in the process of working with its construction partners to ‘assess the likely costs of each option’.
“These will be shared at a public engagement event which we aim to host in June 2026,” it added.
The EA added that it is also in contact with private landowners ‘with a view to improving the current footpath diversion’.
The EA website added: “Our project team are reviewing how each bridge replacement may affect the local environment as well as preparing for any future planning application considerations.”
The EA is also planning to meet stakeholders to ‘develop a funding strategy that will be focused on the full replacement of this bridge as soon as possible,’ the website added.
An Environment Agency spokesperson, said: “Our bridge specialists carried out their engineering inspection of the bridge side spans earlier in the year.
“We have now received the report which has determined that the bridge requires complete replacement.
“Outline designs of the work are now finished and have helped us prepare early options for the bridge replacement, as well as develop a greater understanding of the costs.
“We will now link closely with stakeholders and the local community on the next phases of this project to support the needs of all Thames Path and River Thames users.”
For more information, visit: https://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/thames-area-assets/widgets/131458/faqs
