Richmond Council has submitted a planning application and listed building consent for the partial demolition of Teddington Lock footbridge as part of wider repair works.  

Most of the restoration scheme does not require planning permission 

The components which require additional permission include anti-jump and anti-bird spikes to the lock cut iron truss footbridge as well as replacing the existing ramp as the southern approach to the suspension footbridge. 

The proposed development is set to commence November 2023 and finish by January 2024.  

Design documents state the Teddington Lock Footbridge has "met the end of its design life", and the new ramp will be designed "like for like" with the existing ramp and will have six spans. 

It adds: "Replacement, rather than repair, of the southern access ramp is necessary because of its very poor state of repair, including structural instability." 

Pedestrian ramp planning details for the Teddington footbridge. (Photo: Richmond Council Planning Documents)

Originally constructed in 1888 to replace the former ferry service between Ham bank, Teddington bank and Weir Island, Teddington Footbridge is a Grade II listed building. 

The bridges have historical interest and special significance as good examples of relatively unchanged footbridges of the late 19th century.  

They indicate the rising interest in the river and boating in the ate Victorian period resulting from, the greater accessibility brought by rail travel. 

Heritage documents reveal the demolition and replacement of the ramp will cause harm to the significance of the footbridge, and a "loss of original historical fabric".  

Still, it concluded: "This harm would be less than substantial and the overall listed character...would not be affected."  

The addition of anti-jump spikes is, according to council documents, to promote public safety.  

Acknowledging the inclusion of the spikes will cause a "slight change" to the appearance of the bridge when "viewed from close by", the document maintains the impact will be slight.  

It reasons if the spikes are colour matched to the paintwork of the bridge the impact will be "negligible". 

The anti-bird spikes will reportedly have "no impact upon the character of the Teddington Lock Conservation Area." 

Cat spikes are proposed to be installed on the topside of the Lock Cut Bridge parapets and will be fixed to the structure with a silicone adhesive material. 

Cat spikes to be placed on the bridge. (Photo: Richmond Council documents)

The method document adds: "This is a precaution measure, so that the cat spikes can be easily removed without causing damage to the structure." 

Metal anti-bird spikes have been suggested to be installed on top of the cable tray which runs parallel on both the bridge structures, also with silicone adhesive. 

Location and implementation of bird spikes. (Photo: Richmond Council documents)

Planning documents state the council's "intention" is that public access over the bridge will be maintained for the duration of the proposed works.  

Access from the southern end will be provided by a temporary ramp, whilst the existing one is demolished, and a replacement constructed.  

Concluding, the document adds "the historic Teddington Lock footbridges provide a well-used and high valued pedestrian and cycle connection across the River Thames," connecting Ham Lands to Teddington.  

Summarising the proposals, the planning documents concluded the development is sensitive to the biodiversity within the environment of the bridges and will not give rise to additional risk of flooding. 

Neighbour notification for the proposal started 26 September.