Emergency river wall repairs completed on Thames Path in Oxford

Emergency repairs on an Oxford towpath have been successfully completed, preventing a potential failure that could have closed the popular route.

Oxfordshire County Council and its principal highways contractor M Group have carried out river wall repairs on the Thames Path towpath, just south of Donnington Bridge.

The repairs had originally been planned for 2027. However, inspections showed the river wall was deteriorating more rapidly than anticipated, with widening cracks presenting an increased risk to public safety.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire 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.”

Throughout the work, disruption was kept to a minimum through a carefully managed diversion via Iffley Meadows. This enabled the many people who use this important strategic walking route into Oxford to continue their journeys while the repairs were undertaken.

The diversion and works were carefully managed to minimise impacts on the surrounding sensitive environment.

M Group also identified an alternative piling solution that saved 11.6 tonnes of embodied carbon.

The council’s public rights of way team worked closely with partners including bridge specialists Greenford Ltd, the Environment Agency, Oxford City Council and the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust to accelerate and deliver the necessary emergency work.

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