The reopening of the Thames Towpath between Kew and Richmond is now being delayed until October.

The breach, which first appeared on 19 October 2024, created a significant gap in the towpath near the boundary between the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and The Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club, leaving the area prone to flooding at high tide.

The repairs were expected to begin in April this year, however, Richmond Council says that the repairs are being delayed due to challenging access and ground conditions impacting the installation of crucial sheet piling equipment.

Speaking about the repair updates, Cllr Alexander Ehmann, Chair of the Transport and Air Quality Committee, said: "We understand of course how valuable this route is to residents, walkers, and cyclists alike and we are committed to restoring it as swiftly and safely as possible.

"Unfortunately, I have to report there have been some delays to these works. Constraints on the plants and equipment that can be used on the tidal Thames, alongside challenging access on ground conditions have made the installation of the sheet piles, which are critical in reinforcing the riverbank, more complex than expected."