Marlow Bridge will officially reopen to traffic tomorrow morning after a ribbon cutting ceremony.  

Finishing touches are being made to the bridge – which has been closed for almost two months – before it is reopened to vehicles at 10am on Friday.

These involve three coats of paint to exposed steelwork that structural engineers have been stress-testing, removal of scaffolding around the two bridge towers, and reinstatement of timber work that was removed for inspection.

Bucks County Council Chairman Val Letheren and town mayor Bob Johnson will be first to drive across the reopened bridge after the ribbon is cut.

The bridge, which has a three-tonne weight limit, has been shut for extensive inspection and stress-testing since a 37-tonne lorry tried to cross it on September 24 – causing misery for commuters and residents alike.

Transport cabinet member at Bucks County Council, Mark Shaw, said: “I'm delighted we've been able to open ahead of the Christmas trading, which is good news for everyone. I'm pleased we have the confidence of a thorough structural engineers' report that the bridge is safe to use.”