The town centre end of the Ock valley walk looked very different at the weekend. Willow trees had been cut severely and the sheltered housing on the other side is no longer screened by trees.

The contractors not only slashed the trees but also churned up the ground into a horrible mess.

There are currently two bridges out of order in South Abingdon …

Walks across the River Ock are not possible at present because of Health and Safety grounds.

Another bridge in Southern town park is still out of order, and has been since January when it was damaged by a car fire.

Both bridges are the responsibility of the Vale of White Horse District Council.

The Ock Valley Walk is still walkable – with Wellington Boots. This picture shows where water from the upper Ock  flows across the path to the lower stream. A little further downstream there is a weir where water is supposed to cross.

Unlike the River Thames with its vast flood plain, opposite Abingdon, the River Ock runs through quite a narrow channel. But at the point where the upper and lower streams meet things are probably safer now,

The picturesque bridge by St Helen’s Mill was pulled down because it was thought to impede the flow. St Helen’s Mill has also been tanked, and a simple wooden gate is put across to keep the Ock on track, and not sweeping round people’s homes..

After the Iron Bridge the Ock helps swell the Thames. There are 7 boats moored at St Helen’s Wharf just upstream from the Iron Bridge. The mooring is more secure than the soft ground upstream from Abingdon Bridge.