Agency pulls out of bridge meeting

THE former mayor of Henley has criticised the Environment Agency for not showing up to a meeting to discuss Marsh Lock Horsebridge.

Representatives from Henley Town Council and the Environment Agency greed to meet, along with Henley MP, Freddie van Mierlo, to discuss its condition on September 5.

The rotting footbridge, which links the Thames Path between Henley and Shiplake, was closed by the agency in May 2022, following complaints about its condition.

Funding for the repairs is expected to cost in the region of £2.5m,but funding has not yet been secured.

Rory Hunt, the mayor of Henley from 2024 to 2025, said he was “disappointed”. He said: “They were meant to be meeting with me, Sheridan and Freddie but it got cancelled at short notice. Another meeting has been requested but they have been unresponsive since.”

“In the summer when they started to converse better with us about funding and the plan they want to do, it’s disappointing the see they have regressed to become less responsive again – I hope they can change that.”

The agency is developing a partnership funding strategy to replace the bridge, which could comprise grant applications and local fundraising.

The EA was approached for comment.