{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}} {{Use British English|date=October 2017}} {{Infobox Bridge |bridge_name=Temple Footbridge |image=TempleFootbridge01.JPG |caption= Temple Footbridge from near Temple Lock |official_name= |carries= Thames Path |crosses=River Thames |locale= Hurley, Berkshire |maint= |id= |designer = |design= |material = Wood |spans = 1 |pierswater = |mainspan= |length= {{convert|88|yards|m}} |width= |height={{convert|21|ft|3|in|m}}<ref name=visitthames>River Thames Alliance. [http://www.visitthames.co.uk/text.asp?PageId=320 Bridge heights on the River Thames.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124114502/http://www.visitthames.co.uk/text.asp?PageId=320 |date=24 January 2008 }}</ref> |clearance= |below= |traffic= |open= 1989 |closed= |toll= |map_cue= |map_image= |map_text= |map_width= |coordinates= |lat= |long= }}
'''Temple Footbridge''' is a pedestrian only bridge near Hurley, Berkshire across the River Thames in England. It connects the Buckinghamshire and Berkshire banks. It crosses the Thames just above Temple Lock.
The bridge was built in 1989<ref name="structurae">{{cite web |title=Temple Footbridge |url=https://structurae.net/en/structures/temple-footbridge |publisher=Structurae |accessdate=7 March 2020}}</ref> specifically for walkers on the Thames Path. Previously walkers on the Thames Path had been required to take a detour away from the river bank along a road through Bisham and Marlow. The bridge was opened by Lord Hesketh on 24 May 1989,<ref>{{cite web |title=No 165 Temple Footbridge |url=http://dougmyers.co.uk.box30.co.uk/no65.html |publisher=110 Thames Bridges |accessdate=7 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=THE RIVER THAMES - ITS BRIDGES |url=http://www.the-river-thames.co.uk/bridges.htm |publisher=Floating down the river |accessdate=7 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530090819/http://www.the-river-thames.co.uk/bridges.htm |archive-date=30 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> following a campaign by Margaret Bowdery, a local advocate of access to open spaces and improvements to footpaths.<ref>{{cite web |title=Margaret Bowdery, Berkshire path-campaigner |date=19 December 2016 |url=https://www.oss.org.uk/margaret-bowdery-berkshire-path-campaigner/ |publisher=Open Spaces Society |accessdate=7 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612034936/http://www.oss.org.uk/margaret-bowdery-berkshire-path-campaigner/ |archive-date=12 June 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> As part of the campaign for the construction of the bridge she ran a "Golden Boot" appeal and raised over £2000 towards its construction.<ref>{{cite web |title=Magnificent Margaret of Maidenhead |date=17 December 2016 |url=https://campaignerkate.wordpress.com/2016/12/17/magnificent-margaret-of-maidenhead/ |publisher=CampaignerKate |accessdate=7 March 2020}}</ref> Formerly there was a ferry at this point which took the towpath across the river when it was used for towing barges.<ref name="thamespathway">{{cite web |last1=Pauling |first1=Keith |title=Temple |url=https://thamespathway.com/chapter8/temple.aspx |publisher=Thames Pathway |accessdate=7 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504055515/http://www.thamespathway.com/chapter8/temple.aspx |archive-date=4 May 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> The ferry ceased operation in 1953.<ref name="sinclair"/>
The name "Temple" comes from Temple Mill Island which was owned by the Knights Templar and the site of a mill,<ref name="thamespathway"/> which was used to create copper sheets used in the construction of ships for the Royal Navy.<ref name="sinclair">{{cite book |last1=Sinclair |first1=Mick |title=The Thames |date=2012 |publisher=Andrws |isbn=9781908493194 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fbq_BAAAQBAJ&q=Temple+Footbridge+Thames&pg=PT67}}</ref> The mill had a large water wheel to drive the milling machinery.<ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=http://www.templemillisland.com/history |publisher=Temple Mill Island |accessdate=7 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527174004/http://www.templemillisland.com/history |archive-date=27 May 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
It is a haunched girder bridge with a wooden deck.<ref name="structurae" /> At {{convert|150|ft}}, it is the longest hardwood bridge in Britain.<ref>{{cite news |title=The stories behind 28 Berkshire bridges |url=https://www.berksandbuckslife.co.uk/out-about/places/the-stories-behind-28-berkshire-bridges-1-4600081 |accessdate=7 March 2020 |work=Berkshire Life |date=1 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Fisher |first1=Stuart |title=British River Navigations: Inland Cuts, Fens, Dikes, Channels and Non-tidal Rivers |date=2013 |publisher=A&C Black |isbn=9781472906687 |page=222 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YWyrAAAAQBAJ&q=longest+%22hardwood%22+bridge+in+Britain&pg=PA222}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Hatts |first1=Leigh |title=The Thames Path: National Trail from London to the river's source in Gloucestershire |date=2016 |publisher=Cicerone Press |isbn=9781783623204 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E5AtDAAAQBAJ&q=longest+%22hardwood%22+bridge+in+Britain&pg=PT97}}</ref> The centre of the bridge gives a height of {{convert|6.51|m}} above the water allowing the passage of a range of vessels.<ref name="visitthames" />
In May 2019 the bridge was declared unsafe and closed to pedestrians. It was repaired and reopened in June of the same year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Temple Footbridge now reopened |url=https://www.eastberksramblers.org/news-and-information/footpath-news.html |website=Footpath News |publisher=East Berks Ramblers |accessdate=7 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Merchant |first1=Paul |title=Temple Footbridge reopened!! |date=24 May 2019 |url=https://www.mymarlow.co.uk/2019/05/temple-footbridge-reopened/ |publisher=My Marlow |accessdate=7 March 2020}}</ref>
On 15 May 2023, the bridge was closed due to some of the deck boards degrading faster than expected.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Temple Footbridge closed until further notice |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/temple-footbridge-closed-until-further-notice |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref> In September 2023, the Environment Agency reported that immediate repairs are not possible and the bridge will remain closed for an extended time.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/temple-footbridge-to-remain-closed | title=Temple Footbridge to remain closed }}</ref> Between November 2025 and February 2026 large sections of the bridge were removed and inspected, including the central section and the side spans, which were deemed to have deteriorated beyond the point of economical repair.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Temple Footbridge {{!}} Thames Area assets {{!}} Engage Environment Agency |url=https://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/thames-area-assets/widgets/131458/faqs#35166 |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com}}</ref> It was announced in December of 2025 that the bridge would remain closed for months.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-08 |title=Closed River Thames bridge decision not expected for months |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clydxl4ydrdo |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==See also==
* Crossings of the River Thames
==References== {{Commons category|Temple Footbridge}} {{Reflist}}
{{River item box |River = River Thames |upstream = Hambledon Lock |upsub = (pedestrian) |downstream = Marlow Bridge |downsub = (road) |location = SU718740 |table = start }}
{{River item box |River = Thames Path |upstream = southern bank<br />Henley Bridge |downstream = northern bank<br />Bourne End Railway Bridge |location = SU718740 |table = end }}
{{coord |51.552|-0.797|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}
Category:Pedestrian bridges across the River Thames Category:Bridges completed in 1989 Category:Bridges in Buckinghamshire Category:Bridges in Berkshire Category:Hurley, Berkshire Category:1989 establishments in England