Jubilee River: safety warning over 'extremely dangerous' collapsed footbridge

Parents have been urged to warn their children against jumping into the water from a half-collapsed wooden footbridge over the Jubilee River near Dorney.

Ashford Lane footbridge collapsed into the flood relief river last week, and the broken and crumbling wooden sections have since remained submerged in the water.

In a social media post, Buckinghamshire Council said that although barriers were in place, the scene ‘remains extremely dangerous’.

The bridge has been blocked off

The post added: “We urge parents and guardians to speak with their children about the risks, especially as some individuals have recently been seen accessing the site to jump into the river.

“Emergency crews are actively monitoring the area, and additional safety measures are being implemented.

“Your cooperation is essential to help keep everyone safe.”

The bridge is one of several that have fallen into disrepair in recent years around the River Thames and Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

Temple Bridge, a crucial River Thames crossing between Marlow and Hurley, has been closed since 2023 after surveyors found it had ‘deteriorated faster than expected’.

Berry Hill footbridge in Taplow, another closed bridge, was only reopened last year after an expensive restoration operation.

National Flood Prevention Part councillor Ewan Larcombe (Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury) has long sounded the alarm over what he has said are river infrastructure issues blighting the region.

Aerial view of the fallen footbridge

“It isn’t just that that bridge fell down, it is that that bridge has been closed since November last year,” Cllr Larcombe told the Advertiser after the Ashford Lane bridge’s collapse.

“It was just blocked off, but there wasn’t a warning notice issued until last week, until after it fell down.”

He added: “This is just one of a number of bridges, there was Berry Hill Bridge – where they’ve only replaced the middle at a cost of about £450,000.

“Black Potts bridge [near Windsor] is closed because that’s breaking up and sagging too.”

Cllr Larcombe said issues with bridges over waterways in the area were because many had not been designed with a long enough lifespan.

He said there were further issues because many bridges had been handed to local authorities to manage.

It is Buckinghamshire Council that maintains responsibility for the Ashford Lane bridge, but the Environment Agency for the Jubilee River channel.

Cllr Larcombe said: “At the end of the day, I think it’s only right and proper that I raise the flag and shout about it.”

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “The bridge belongs to Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC) who will be responsible, initially for the removal of the collapsed bridge, and any subsequent plans to replace it.

“The Environment Agency will offer advice and support to ensure that the bridge is removed safely and quickly to avoid impacting the flood relief function of the Jubilee channel.”

Buckinghamshire Council's deputy leader and cabinet member for transport Cllr Thomas Broom said:“Berry Hill and Ashford Lane footbridges were designed and constructed for the Environment Agency as part of the Jubilee River flood channel scheme before being handed over to the former Buckinghamshire County Council for adoption. We cannot comment on the other bridges referred to, as these are not the responsibility of the Council.

“The entire centre span of Berry Hill was replaced last year, and the other two sections are in a fit for purpose condition. The Ashford Lane bridge was identified as being in an unsafe condition at the end of 2023 and was subsequently closed whilst plans to replace the bridge were progressed.

“The issues with both bridges were identified during routine inspections. We are obviously disappointed that these timber structures have had such serious issues before the end of their original design life, and are aware this is an issue for a number of bridges over the Jubilee River of similar age. 

"Our main concern is for the safety of anyone using the bridges or the river and so the immediate next steps for the Ashford Lane bridge is to remove the collapsed section and ensure the remainder is secure or removed.

"We are working with specialist contractors to ensure this is done in the best way possible.

"In the meantime, we would reiterate that attempting to climb on this structure is extremely dangerous and should not be attempted under any circumstances.

"It is worth bearing in mind that there is no right of navigation on the Jubilee River, and whilst it is popular with kayakers and paddle boarders, the Environment Agency do not encourage its recreational use for swimming or paddle sports."