Towpath collapse: Council promises summer repair as works ramp up near Richmond Lock
Richmond Council say it is working as "quickly as possible" to reinstate the Thames towpath between Richmond Lock and Kew Gardens.
The towpath on Ferry Lane remains closed following the unexpected collapse of a section on Saturday, 19 October 2024.
Richmond Council believes the collapse was likely caused by a combination of factors, including high river levels and strong winds on that day.
It added that its engineers have been working with specialist contractors to investigate the cause and explore both temporary and permanent solutions.
In an update video released yesterday (13 May 2025), Chair of The Transport and Air Quality Services Committee, Councillor Alexander Ehmann, said: "We've got work underway to remove sediment from the main channel of the river.
"Once those works happen, and we've reprofiled the river back to the way it should be and smoothed an area that will allow access.
"The sheet piling works that will immediately follow will be taking place. So within days we'll see the works begin on reinstating the towpath area, which will enable us to move towards our planned reinstatement later this summer."
In the meantime, Richmond Council has put in place emergency temporary works to prevent further damage to the towpath.
It says it has not yet identified a viable solution to allow public access while permanent repairs are ongoing.
Permanent works began on 14 April 2025 and are expected to be completed in summer 2025.
The Council has also warned residents not to attempt to access the affected towpath, as some have done.
Additional safety measures have been implemented to prevent unauthorised entry.
To view diversion routes, click here for a map, and click here for the National Trail diversion route.
To ask the Council questions about the works, email [email protected].
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