Marlow Bridge tests reveal more areas for detailed testing

Engineers investigating possible damage to Marlow Bridge, after a 37-tonne lorry tried to cross it, have found seven structural areas that need further detailed testing.

Ultrasound testing and magnetic particle inspections were commissioned by Buckinghamshire County Council earlier this week (w/b October 10)for detailed examination ofthe suspension bridge’s vertical steel hangers.

Testing will continue next week and structural engineersplan tobuild a small access platform to enable them to more closely examinethe bridge steelwork.

Once analysed, the results will reveal whether or not the suspect steel hangers and pins need to be removed for further testing or replacement.

Engineers have been examining every part of the structure since the lorry, owned by the Lithuanian haulage company Girteka,tried to cross the bridge on Saturday September 24. The bridge has a three-tonne weight limit and has been closed to vehicles since, although open to pedestrians and cyclists.

Contract Director Simon Dando said that if the test results clearly showedsteelwork needed replacing, specially manufactured partscould take up to 12 weeks to make and a further eight weeks to install.

Mark Shaw, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: ‘We’re not at this point yet, and we’re still undertaking exhaustive tests. But weneed to be realisticabout a worst case scenarioto keepresidents and traders in Marlow and Bisham in the picture.

‘I appreciate the inconvenience of this closure, andI’m sorry it’s needed.We want the bridge open to vehiclesas soon as possible, butwe must be absolutely sure that it’s safe and secure for those who use it.’

County Councilofficers areresearching techniques used by errant lorry drivers to get through width restrictions,tosee whether additional measuresshould be considered for Marlow Bridge.