Graffiti labelled “insensitive” would be removed from an historic bridge over the River Thames under new repair plans

Plans have been submitted to South Oxfordshire District Council by Oxfordshire County Council to restore Henley Bridge, a Grade-I listed masonry bridge built in 1786.

As well as removing “insensitive” graffiti, the works would include fixing damage from erosion and boat traffic collisions, removing vegetation from weathering as well as installing hidden slates for “extra stability”.

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The county council initially considered repairing all existing damage on the bridge but will instead focus on areas where “damage is more detrimental to features of special interest to the bridge”.(Image: South Oxfordshire District Council)

A planning statement reads: “The design development initially considered repairing all existing damage on the bridge.

“However, the preferred and ultimately adopted approach considered the areas of damage to the bridge which have ‘live’ and progressive deterioration or areas where damage is more detrimental to the features of special interest to the bridge, given that these have the potential to more severely cause harm to the significance of the bridge

“This approach would also improve the appearance of the bridge, improve setting and the settings of surrounding heritage assets.”

The bridge has undergone a number of alterations since its inception, including the conservation and repair works undertaken in September 2001, and most recently in 2011 and 2012.

“These historic works much like those proposed were undertaken to safeguard and conserve the overall aesthetic and historic value of Henley Bridge, which is largely derives from its architectural quality,” a planning document adds.