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Work to create accessible moorings on the River Thames at Wallingford is now complete

Published Tuesday 6 May 2025

Over £209,000 has been invested in major accessibility improvements at the riverside in Wallingford.  

The project has been managed by South Oxfordshire District Council, with the support and eager anticipation of the local volunteer-run charity, Wallingford Accessible Boat Club.

The package of improvements has been designed to be step-free to provide easy access to people of all disabilities and to enhance the whole riverside as an attractive destination for residents, visitors, clubs and river users alike.

Work has covered improvements to the existing access path, roadway, ramp and moorings at the riverside – in addition to the installation of an accessible pontoon designed for river lovers with a disability.

Whilst the facility is available to all, it has been specifically designed to meet the requirements of the Wallingford Accessible Boat Club’s wheelyboat, WOW-one, to enable disabled and less mobile people to have equal access to the river. To contact the club for further support or guidance, visit www.wabc.org.uk

To support the Wallingford Accessible Boat Club’s activities, the site includes a wheelchair accessible cabin with access to water and electricity.  The ambition is to create cheerful artwork on the cabin to brighten up the area.

In a related project, a Changing Places accessible bathroom has also been created at the riverside, next to the existing toilet facilities and is now available for use.

The completion of the work times perfectly with the summer opening of the Riverside site. The popular campsite opened at the beginning of May and the outdoor pool and splash pad will follow later this month.

Cllr James-Lawrie, South Oxfordshire District Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “This May we are celebrating the opening of the new accessible moorings and all the related improvements at the Riverside. Alongside the moorings and better path access, I’m delighted we’ve been able to include a Changing Places at this site.

“We’ve already put significant funding in recent years into the campsite, pool, toilet and wash facilities and a fabulous makeover of our splash pads – which proved incredibly popular the last two seasons.

“Our latest improvements further enhance the location as a ‘destination’ within the district. I’m also pleased we are in a position to make the facilities more accessible so that everyone can benefit from our beautiful riverside.”

John Jenkins MBE, Chairman of Wallingford Accessible Boat Club, commented:  “This is a truly wonderful moment for our club – an historic occasion!  The facilities at Riverside complete with adjoining car parking, easy access down to the water and to our wheelyboat, WOW-one, will enable us to offer more river trips to more disabled and elderly people so that they can enjoy the wonders of the river just as able-bodied people do.

“We have been working with South Oxfordshire District Council on this project for almost 5 years and we are very thankful to the Council for the project funding and to the councillors and officers who got behind us to drive it to a successful conclusion.  I really hope the combination of our wheelyboat service and this superb facility will help attract visitors to Wallingford, to underline it as the river town it truly is.”

Cllr Andrea Powell, Ward Councillor for Benson and Crowmarsh, said: “This is fantastic news for Wallingford, Crowmarsh and our local communities and visitors. We are delighted this much anticipated project has finally come to fruition. It is the result of lots of hard work not only by the district council, but from the efforts of ward councillors, parish councillors, the town council, Wallingford Accessible Boat Club and the local community, all working together for these improvements to happen.”

An experienced civil engineering firm, Greenford Ltd, who are based in Wheatley, completed the work on behalf of the council.

The project has been financed by £209,534 of CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) money, charged by South Oxfordshire District Council on new development in the district.  This refurbishment work follows a £400,000 boost of the onsite wash facilities and a revamp of the splashpads in 2023.

Riverside Park and Pool are run by GLL on behalf of the council, whilst South Oxfordshire District Council owns and manages the park and moorings at this site.

Find out more about Wallingford Riverside Meadows here.