As the images below show, the River Crane has broken its banks and flooded the Loop path under the Causeway Bridge and to the south-east of the bridge. This blocks much of the section of the route described in the third and fourth paragraphs on page 12 of our walk guidance for the section.
This flooding is particularly inconvenient for walkers travelling clockwise (northwards) as described in our walk guidance. Walkers who arrive at the blockage have to re-trace their steps over quite a distance and divert through Donkey Wood and then the North Feltham Trading Estate.
The flooding seems likely to last for some time given that there has been more heavy rain since it was reported to us. Here is an outline of a diversion to avoid the blockage for those travelling clockwise round the Loop as shown by the map on the right.
- Cross the footbridge over the Duke of Northumberland's River then turn left and follow the river through Donkey Wood until it meets River Gardens.
- Turn right into River Gardens and head north through the North Feltham Trading Estate.
- After about 400m take the second left, Central Way, and after about 300m turn right into Pier Road.
- Follow Pier Road and after it bends left take a right turn into Heron Way.
- Follow Heron Way to its junction with Causeway (A312) then turn right.
- Follow Causeway for about 500m to the River Crane overbridge and re-join the London Loop on the opposite (north) side of the road.
