Work on collapsed section of Thames Path delayed

It was hoped the route would be usable later in the summer but its reopening has been put back until October

The reopening of a collapsed section of the Thames Path has been put back because of difficulties rebuilding it.

Richmond council had hoped the route, between Richmond Lock and Kew Gardens, in south-west London, would be usable by later this summer, but that has been pushed back to October.

The council said its contractor was working with officers to resolve problems which had come up while working on the towpath.

Work mending the route began on 14 April, after its collapse on 19 October last year. That was down to high winds and river levels.

Transport committee chairman, Alexander Ehmann, said the authority was committed to restoring the route "as swiftly and safely as possible".

The work, he said, was made difficult because of limits on equipment that could be used at the tidal site.

Access problems and difficult ground conditions had also made the work "complex".

But the project was "moving forward", Ehmann said.

"In addition to these works, we've also taken the opportunity to undertake remedial works on the towpath from Richmond Lock to the location of the breach," the Liberal Democrat councillor added.

"These works have included clearing a blocked culvert, replacing a non-return valve and stabilising sections of the towpath, as well as making some surface level improvements."

Diversions remain in place at either end of the towpath, which is fenced off.

Details of alternative routes are on the council's website.