Temporary Bridge for Reading Festival 2026: river closure notice
Published 26 May 2026
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/temporary-bridge-for-reading-festival-2026-river-closure-notice/temporary-bridge-for-reading-festival-2026-river-closure-notice
When
Thursday 20 August 2026, 7pm to 12am.
Sunday 6 September 2026, 7pm to 12am.
Where
Caversham reach, Scours Lane (1 mile upstream of Caversham Bridge).
Details
Subject to the appropriate planning permissions being obtained, Festival Republic will be installing a temporary footbridge across the River Thames at Scours Lane, Reading (one mile upstream of Caversham Bridge) for the duration of Reading Festival.
For safety reasons it is not possible to navigate underneath the bridge structure whilst it is being lifted into/out of place and secured. Expect delays of approximately half an hour on both 20 August and 6 September from 7pm to midnight (river conditions permitting) whilst they install and dismantle the bridge.
The temporary closures will be managed by our staff on patrol launches throughout the night. Please follow their instructions. Communications will also be available on marine band VHF Channel 74.
From 20 August to 6 September 2026, masters of all boats should take care whilst navigating in the vicinity of this new structure.
Once in place the bridge’s headway will be 5.35 metres / 17 feet 6 inches at standard headwater at Caversham Lock.
| Bridge headway | |
|---|---|
| New temporary footbridge | 5.35 metres (17 feet 6 inches) |
| Caversham Bridge | 4.56 metres (15 feet 0 inches) |
| Reading Bridge | 5.38 metres (17 feet 8 inches) |