‘Progress’ is being made to reopen bridge

A GOVERNMENT minister has said that “progress” is being made on the repair and reopening of the Marsh Lock Horsebridge.

Baroness Sue Hayman, the Minister of Access at the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs, was responding to a letter from Henley MP Freddie van Mierlo asking for help in accelerating the work.

The rotting bridge was shut by the Environment Agency in May 2022 following complaints about its condition.

Repairs were originally expected to take two months but were delayed when the agency denied it was responsible for maintaining the river crossing.

It said that the bridge, which has more than 100 defects in the deteriorating hardwood, would have to be replaced in its entirety and this was reliant on partnership funding.

In October, the Henley Standard revealed that the repairs may now not take place until 2026 and could cost about £1.3m.

As reported by the Henley Standard, Mr van Mierlo had written to four members of government to hasten the reopening of the footbridge. In addition to Baroness Hayman, he wrote to Steve Reed, the Secretary of State at Defra, Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for the Department of Health and Social Care.

Baroness Hayman replied: “I am aware that there have been ongoing discussions between the Environment Agency, National Trails UK and the Thames Path Partnership to explore potential solutions.

“I understand that progress is being made, as the EA plans to carry out surveys in the next financial year to assess the available options for the bridge, such as repair work or a full replacement.

“Once those options have been determined the relevant parties can come together to assess costs and explore potential funding sources.

“I am also aware that The Thames Path Partnership has been advocating for the prioritisation of this project, particularly given that the bridge has been closed for nearly three years. I also acknowledge that next year marks the 30th anniversary of the Thames Path National Trail, and I hope that meaningful progress can be made this year to initiate the restoration of this vital crossing.”

Meanwhile, Mr van Mierlo met with more than 10 members of the Henley and Goring Ramblers for a walk along the Thames Path towards Remenham.

The ramblers emphasised the efforts of local path maintenance volunteers at the Chiltern Society as well as local walking groups, which make sure that the access is improved and the right of way is maintained and in a usable state.

Alie Hagedoorn, who chairs the Henley and Goring Ramblers, said: “We’re grateful to Mr van Mierlo for listening to our concerns and for his ongoing support in making local paths more accessible to walkers visiting Henley and residents in Henley itself.”

John Case, the footpaths officer for the group, added: “We’re very grateful to Mr van Mierlo for leading the campaign to re-open the footbridge. It is taking far too long for the Environment Agency to move towards a solution and we must keep up the pressure.”