Reposted with additional commentary- Bucks Council is to replace collapsed Ashford Lane footbridge after structural failures – 9th July 2025
A report by Nathaniel Lawson
Local Democracy Reporter
@LawsonNath8299
A council has begun drawing plans for a replacement bridge after it partially collapsed last month.
The Ashford Lane footbridge over the Jubilee River, near Taplow, became partially submerged in the flood relief river on June 26. The bridge is one of several footbridges that were built when the Jubilee River was constructed around the turn of the century. The Ashford Lane footbridge was closed in 2023 by an emergency order due to structural failings. Deputy Leader of Buckinghamshire Council Thomas Broom said at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday that the council hopes to have design work complete for a new bridge by the end of this year.
Cllr Broom said: “The centre span of which has collapsed into the Jubilee River, was identified as a structural problem in 2023 when the bridge was closed.
“We are working up plans for a replacement bridge we are hoping to have the design work for that done this year.
“I believe there are five of these bridges over the Jubilee River, two of which are in Buckinghamshire.
“All of which are failing before there predicted life span, they were designed and built for environment agency when the Jubilee River was originally constructed.”
A report on the bridge highlighted a complete failure of main deck timbers and the footbridge’s “very poor” overall condition.
Cllr Broom added: “The second bridge that we have, has already had structural issues identified a number of years ago, and we have replaced the entire central span of that bridge.
“Obviously there has been an issues with the design and construction, by the sound of it, on all five of these bridges.
“One of the two we have in Buckinghamshire we have undertaken significant work on, and the second was the site of this collapse.”
Cllr Broom urged the public to stay away from the bridge, stressing its danger. He said: “I would urge anybody who is in the area to stay away from the collapsed bridge, we have had some reports of people trying to gain entry.
“I cannot stress how dangerous this is, it is very clearly signed nobody should be going on it.”
Council Leader Steven Broadbent added that the design of the timber bridges at the location are “not up to scratch.”
He said: “We closed that bridge and had it barriered off for some time, it is clearly carried off and people must not enter into that area.
“[We have] already replaced the Berry Hill footbridge with a different design and different material.” [In fact – only the centre section of Berry Hill footbridge has been replaced at a cost of about £450k. The two ends are still original timber as shown below. I am sceptical and have requested a copy of the most recent Engineer’s Footbridge Inspection Report]
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The link to the article in Bucks Free Press is here
The public footpath closure order is interesting
Public Footpath No.1, Parish of Dorney Dorney Public Footpath No.1 Parish of Dorney, for the length of the path over the bridge over the Jubilee River, which commences at the junction with public footpath No. 5/3 to the junction with public footpath No. 5/2 for approximately 145 metres.
The closure is required in the interest of public safety due to damage to the footbridge which is a risk to public users. 2 July 2025 23 January 2026
I think the order should refer to a collapsed footbridge!
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