Temple Footbridge safety works 2024: river restriction notice
Updated 11 August 2025
© Crown copyright 2025
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/temple-bridge-safety-works-2024-river-restriction-notice/temple-bridge-safety-works-2024-river-restriction-notice
When
Thursday 21 November 2024 until Sunday 28 September 2025.
Where
Temple reach, Temple Bridge
Details
The central arch of Temple Bridge is closed to navigation until further notice due to safety concerns. The Environment Agency has installed a boom to prevent access and will remove the central arch. Work to remove the central span of the bridge is planned to start in September 2025. An update to this river restriction will be in place from 22 to 28 September 2025. During this period, one arch will be available for navigation. As soon as we can, we will update this notice with more information.
Once work to remove the central arch begins, the existing river restriction notice will be withdrawn. A river closure notice will then be in place from Monday 29 September 2025 until Monday 6 October 2025. During this period, the existing booms will be extended to the side arches to fully close navigation.
In the meantime, the existing river restriction remains in place as follows:
Navigation under Temple Footbridge will be through the two side arches.
The approximate maximum depth under the side arches is 1.3m.
The Environment Agency estimates headway at the central point of each side section of the footbridge to be approximately 3 metres, measured from standard head water level and increasing or decreasing on either side of this point due to the shape of the arch.
River levels fluctuate. The depth and headway measurements given above will change with the river conditions
You must navigate with extreme caution if attempting to pass under either of the side sections, and do so at your own risk. You are responsible for ensuring your vessel can pass safely and should not attempt to do so if you are in any doubt. The Environment Agency will not be liable for any damage caused or other consequential costs.
Either arch can be used for vessels navigating in both directions, but vessels heading upstream must give way to those heading downstream.
Byelaws
It is an offence to fail to conform with the directions in this notice or to obstruct an officer of the Environment Agency in the execution of their duty or to fail to obey directions given regarding the navigation, mooring or unmooring of any boat.
This notice does not supersede any parts of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993 and the UK Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996. You should pay particular attention to byelaws 24 to 42 of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993 about steering, sailing and speed.
The maximum penalty for breach of the byelaws is £1,000.
You can find the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993 on GOV.UK.