Residents will soon be able to enjoy walking and cycling along the Thames towpath between Richmond Lock and Kew Gardens again, with the official reopening now set for Saturday, 8 November, weather and river conditions permitting.

The long-awaited reopening comes after the towpath collapsed on 19 October 2024, having been closed since for extensive repair and reinforcement works following significant damage to the riverbank.

Richmond Council confirmed that the towpath restoration is now in its final stages, with crews completing essential strengthening works.

Back in May, the Council had said it was working "as quickly as possible" to reopen the towpath over the summer.

However, due to the complex challenges of working along the tidal Thames, the project was delayed to this autumn.

The Thames towpath between Richmond Lock and Kew Gardens car park on Ferry Lane will reopen this month (credit: Cesar Medina).

Councillor Alexander Ehmann, Chair of Richmond Council's Transport and Air Quality Committee, said: "This has been one of the most technically demanding riverbank repairs we've undertaken – and our teams and partners have shown tremendous skill and persistence in managing these complex conditions.

"The short delay ensures we deliver a safe, high-quality repair that will stand up to the tidal Thames for many years to come. We thank residents for their patience and look forward to welcoming them back to this much-loved route from next weekend."

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The project includes the reinstatement of the culvert and causeway, designed to safely overtop during high tides and reduce erosion elsewhere along the towpath.

The improvements also add new safety and ecological features, making the path more resilient and enjoyable for walkers, runners, and cyclists.

Alongside the main repair, additional works have been carried out between Richmond Lock and the breach site, including clearing blocked culverts and stabilising sections of the path.