Maidenhead & Windsor

The Maidenhead Royal Borough is moving towards its longer-term aim of filling in the "missing link" in a popular riverside footpath which runs alongside the Thames at Maidenhead.

Maidenhead Plans to join up the existing "gap" in the Thames Path National trail at Ray Mead Road, Maidenhead were approved by the borough's rights of way and highway licensing panel on Monday (March 6) – subject to the availability of sufficient funding either through Section 106 money or from external sources.

Members supported an application by the Maidenhead borough to be registered as the owners of the short strip of unregistered land - currently forming the concrete landing steps opposite the Thames Hotel and Bray Boats boatyard - to help join up the path and create a continuous route along the riverside.

Walkers using this stretch of the Thames Path currently have to cross Ray Mead Road to use the footway on the opposite side of the road before crossing back again to re-join the riverside path.

In response to requests from both the East Berks Ramblers Association and the River Thames Society, proposals have been drawn up to provide a new stretch of footpath either by infilling the row of steps or constructing a raised walkway and installing railings above the steps.

In addition to the application to the land registry, Maidenhead panel members also approved a public path creation order under Section 26 of the Highways Act 1980 – and members agreed to work closely with the Environment Agency on the design of the proposed new structure.

Maidenhead Cllr Margaret Cubley, chairman of the panel, said: "It is very important at this stage to stress that these proposals are entirely dependent on the availability of sufficient funding to finance the project.

"Therefore the works themselves are still likely to be some way off but we are taking positive action to ensure that we are well-placed when funds are available.

"We appreciate that the Thames Path is a very popular and well-used route along some of the most picturesque stretches of the river, used by both local residents and visitors to the area – and we do want to do everything we can to create a safe and practical link to the existing path for walkers to enjoy.

"By creating a new stretch of footpath – and closing the existing gap in the path – we would hope to be able to make the route more convenient and enjoyable for users by eliminating the need to cross and re-cross Ray Mead Road. It will also improve and enhance the appearance of that stretch of the riverbank.

"We have consulted widely on these proposals with local ramblers groups, Bray Boats who use the river mooring at the bottom of the steps, the Environment Agency and with ward members."

For further information about the land registry application or the public path creation order, contact Anthony Hurst, principal public rights of way officer, on 01628 796407.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead