River users question timing of Thames closure work

The Temple footbridge was closed in May 2023

A charity has described the decision to close part of the River Thames for almost a month as "unnecessary".

The Environment Agency (EA) is planning to remove part of a Temple Footbridge near Marlow, which has been closed since May 2023 after an inspection found it was unsafe.

But the Chesham-based Inland Waterways Association (IWA) called the closure excessive and said the bridge could be removed within 48 hours.

EA has been approached by the BBC for a comment.

The river will be closed from Temple Footbridge, upstream of Temple Lock, between 10 September to 8 October.

Contractors are set to remove the central span of the bridge during the works.

The Enviorment Agency said Temple Bridge "exceeded its design life and is no longer safe to use"

Verna Smith, IWA's South East regional chair, said: "Closing one of the most popular stretches of the Thames for a month during one of the busiest times of the year makes no sense.

"It's bad for businesses as well as everyone else. All river users, including anyone who wants to walk the Thames Path National Trail, have been in limbo for over two years."

The charity called on the EA to postpone the removal, publish a clear timetable and firm commitment for the bridge repair and allow limited daily passage for boaters.

Marlow Town Council will discuss the bridge at a meeting on Tuesday.

Councillor Mark Skoyles has suggested a motion that will see a group established to regularly report on the progress of the reinstatement of the bridge.