Our Initiatives

We are lobbying for improvements to the town’s streets and pavements, particularly in relation to the uncleanliness of the area. We have met with an SODC Councillor and the Waste Team Leader to discuss the challenges and have been invited to propose potential changes to any revised waste contract. We would also like to see HTC, via the Town Centre Manager, encouraging businesses to take responsibility for keeping the pavement in front of their building clean, as a matter of civic pride – a practice that has declined in recent years. The recently published Henley Town Council Strategic Plan 2024-29  gives hope for improvement in this area.

Other Issues

The ‘H’ graffiti on the side of Henley Bridge ix now scheduled for removal together with other maintenance issues to be addressed in  Spring 2025 when the river level and current should be back to normal. All planning consents are in place and so there is no reason for the restoration work to be further delayed.

The condition of the Marsh Lock Horsebridge, closed since May 2022, is another concern, with any likelihood of re-opening, we understand, not likely to be before another 2/3 years have elapsed. Lack of funding and other Environment Agency priorities are getting in the way of progress and the best way forward may be to arrange some form of local crowd funding to hasten the re-opening. This river crossing is a part of the important Thames Path, which, now that Culden Faw Estates have withdrawn permission to divert over their land, means that the Thames Path route now takes you through Harpsden Woods and down Woodlands Road to cross the busy Henley/Reading Road near the War Memorial. We believe this route to be an accident waiting to happen. We are in constant touch with the Environment Agency and continue to bring pressure to bear on them to show us some signs of progress.

There is a length of pathway on the Marlow-side of Grade 1 Listed Henley Bridge where contractors, over three years ago, removed paving slabs to insert broadband wiring. The removed slabs were either broken or lost! As a Health and Safety measure with the Royal Regatta approaching, the area was tarmacked. We are pleased to report that the slabs have now been replaced at the expense of Oxfordshire County Council, the original contractors having gone out of business. One has to be patient but once again local pressure, properly applied paid off in the end.

Our work, in conjunction with the Townlands Hospital Steering Group, has resulted in assurances being received that Townlands hospital will continue with enhanced services. In addition, we are hopeful that in January 2025, following a unanimous vote at a recent meeting of Oxfordshire County Council, we will all be provided with a full explanation as to why the seven step-down care beds were removed from Chiltern Court, with no local consultation, even with the local Doctors whose patients filled those beds.