A stretch of the Thames Path just south of Donnington Bridge in Oxford has reopened after emergency repairs to the river wall. People using the towpath had been diverted through Iffley Meadows while the work took place.
Oxfordshire County Council had planned to repair the wall in 2027. It brought the work forward after inspections showed the wall was deteriorating faster than expected and cracks were widening.
Councillor Liz Leffman, the county council’s cabinet member for highways construction and repairs, said, “The successful completion of the emergency repairs safeguards this section of the towpath and reduces the risk of an unplanned closure of an important walking connection into Oxford.
“This is a well-used route, so it was vital that disruption was kept to a minimum while these essential works were carried out.”
The council said its highways contractor, M Group, used a different piling method that saved 11.6 tonnes of embodied carbon. It also said the work and the diversion were managed to limit the impact on the surrounding environment.
The council’s public rights of way team worked with bridge specialists Greenford Ltd, the Environment Agency, Oxford City Council and the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust to bring the repairs forward.