MP hosts debate on ‘valuable’ trails

FREDDIE van Mierlo said he will continue to fight for the funding of National Trails.

The Henley MP hosted a debate on their conditions in Westminster on Tuesday, focusing on the Thames Path and the Ridgeway.

Mr van Mierlo has campaigned to reopen Marsh Lock Horsebridge, which was closed by the Environment Agency (EA) in May 2022, following complaints about its condition.

He said: “We’ve seen the number of national trails increase nationally, which is a good thing, but makes it especially challenging for local authorities and local partnerships that manage these, to actually maintain them to the required standard.”

He said the Thames Path and Ridgeway are valuable, delivering £1.8bn of benefit to the economy and saving the NHS £300m annually.

He said: “Since 2013, we have seen a 30 per cent cut in real terms in their funding, so I’m going to be calling today for restoration of that funding.”

He said the reopening of the footbridge is the responsibility of the EA, with repairs expected to cost around £2.5m.

However, it has been claimed that the EA does not have the money to repair it, with a fundraising plan and project plan expected to be delivered to Henley Town Council this month.

He said: “Unfortunately, they just don’t have the funding to fix this bridge, which means there’s an enormous diversion that crosses a busy A road twice, and that’s just totally unsuitable.”

He said the closure is having a direct impact on the economy and the well-being and enjoyment of the river by residents.

Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for transport management, said the council realise how popular the towpath is.

He said the repair work “aims to restore damaged stretches of the towpath” with sections remaining closed due to the use of machinery.

Sarah Wright, the county council’s Ridgeway officer, said they wanted to “raise awareness of how to care for the trail”.

She added: “With the route being so historic, visitors could unwittingly damage irreplaceable archaeology when they park on verges.”