The footpath across Abingdon Weir has reopened, with large green “Footpath Open” signs now in place and the fencing that blocked access removed.
The walkway was closed in April 2025 due to safety concerns over corrosion in the steel support structure. At the time, the closure was expected to last about three weeks — from 22 April to 12 May — but it was understood this could be extended depending on inspection results.
During the closure, there were occasional acts of “guerrilla reopening,” with padlocks removed to let people across, only for the Environment Agency to replace them.
The Environment Agency has given no public updates about repairs or an official reopening date, but the path is open for now.
If it hasn’t been repaired and is now deemed safe, why was it closed in the first place?
I think the clue is in the name – ‘inspection’ – 2 possible outcomes – stuff needs fixing or stuff doesn’t need fixing
The Environment Agency were probably getting cheesed-off with their their tea-breaks being interrupted by call-outs to replace the padlocks that had been removed … ;0)
I’m really pleased to have one of my favorite early-morning walks back. A feeling, I’m sure, is shared by many whenever they take their exercise.
My favourite walking loop restored, I’ll be sampling it in the next hour or so.
I wonder if those randomly reopening it will now turn up and close it without warning occasionally?
Was told by an Environment Agency worker the week after it was shut without anyone being told, and who knows the locality exceedingly well that the lock walk had a counter on it and some 2000 people walked across each day on average, so it is hugely valued by the community.
Let’s hope the EA will sort the situation out and consider the loss of enjoyment and exercise of so many thousands each day, rather than some health and safety ‘jobs worth’ trying to show off how important he or she is.
Amazed that there was not a big kerfuffle in the Oxford Mail but it seems the ‘local paper’ doesn’t ever cover local news and mostly it’s drivel from the internet.
If say the local sports centre with probably far fewer visitors than the 2000 a day walking and cycling around the lock was suddenly shut, would there have been anything reported?
Are the environment agency also inspecting the Drayton rd…..
People will soon start to remove traffic lights as nothing appears to be going on there either…
It is only opened temporarily while the river levels are low. Repairs still need to be made and it may be closed once water levels increase and begin outting extra pressure on the structure
Colin – you seem well informed – your source?
The bridge at the lock in Henley has been shut for 3 years
Cllr Tom Greenway had posted this is the info he received from the EA
It’s all a bit of an ongoing mystery when it comes to riverside repairs and maintenance. Around a month or so ago there was a news article and public warning that the banks along the towpath were going to be repaired from around Folly Bridge down to Iffley Lock, but nothing obvious appears to have been done since. (Repairs were going to be done last Autumn but there was a lot of rain and they couldn’t do them.) If they leave it too late again the rains may return and stop them repairing the banks again this year as well…
Correction – they announced the works in June, it’s now August. Were any repairs done and I somehow managed to miss them I wonder?
https://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/section-of-thames-towpath-in-oxford-to-close-for-repairs/