Study to seek safety options for Marlow Bridge
Engineers from Transport for Buckinghamshire will carry out a safety study of options to give added protection to Marlow Bridge from the threat of use by overweight vehicles.
The study, due to start in April, is expected to take around four months, and produce a shortlist of preferences. It follows extensive inspection and testing of the bridge structure during a two-month closure, after a 37-tonne lorry forced its way across in September.
Mark Kemp, Buckinghamshire County Council’s Director of Growth, Strategy and Highways, said the study would involve discussions with town and district councils, residents, traders and neighbouring businesses.
Options being explored are expected to range from low-technology measures, such as signage and barriers, to high-technology solutions, such as number plate recognition equipment.
“Our engineers need time to look carefully at a wide range of options, and narrow them to a handful of realistic preferences,” said Mark. “Collating the results of the study will take time because we want to reach the right conclusions in consultation with the people of Marlow.”
Marlow Bridge has a three-tonne weight restriction.