Emergency repairs to a deteriorating river wall on Oxford’s Thames Path towpath have been completed, safeguarding a popular walking route south of Donnington Bridge and preventing the risk of an unplanned closure.

Oxfordshire County Council and its principal highways contractor, M Group, brought forward the works after inspections revealed that the river wall was deteriorating more rapidly than expected, with widening cracks posing an increased risk to public safety. The repairs had originally been scheduled for 2027.

The works were completed with minimal disruption, with a temporary diversion via Iffley Meadows allowing walkers to continue using the strategic route into Oxford. Environmental considerations were also taken into account. M Group identified an alternative piling solution that reduced the project’s embodied carbon by 11.6 tonnes.

The council’s public rights of way team worked with bridge specialists Greenford Ltd, the Environment Agency, Oxford City Council and the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust to accelerate and deliver the repairs, while minimising disruption to the surrounding sensitive environment.