The county council’s transport chief has reassured residents that they are exploring measures to protect Marlow Bridge from “abuse” by overweight vehicles following news that a petition has been set up.

Residents are calling for the bridge to be made a “priority” before it suffers “long-term damage” by cars and lorries over three tonnes.

Mark Shaw, cabinet member for transport, confirmed that engineers are looking at “additional measures” but said they would need to take into consideration the sensitivity of local feeling, the aesthetics of the historic bridge, and the availability of funding for the project.

His comments come as yet another lorry was pictured after crossing the bridge yesterday afternoon. 

Pictures sent in by a reader show the lorry getting stuck on the width restriction bollards. 

He said: “If we are able to propose any changes, I would want to seek first the views of residents and businesses through local consultation.”

Cllr Shaw also expressed his anger that drivers of overweight vehicles are still flouting the rules and trying to cross the historic bridge.

He said: “I am appalled that we are continuing to get reports of heavy vehicle drivers who ignore the weight restriction.

“Enforcing the restriction is a police matter, and I'm grateful to Thames Valley Police for their vigilance.

“I fully understand Marlovians' concern about our beautiful county landmark, and I’ll be very pleased to receive their petition.”

The Marlow Bridge petition is just a few hundred away from reaching 1,000 signatures from concerned residents.

Marlow shop owner, Dan Slyfield, said: “The last time the bridge closed it had a very negative effect on my business.

“Retail is tough these days as it is. Another bridge closure could be catastrophic for us.”

Tonie Philpott, from Cookham, added: “When the bridge was out of action last year, my journey to work doubled in miles and tripled in time. I also felt that the shops and small businesses in Marlow suffered due to the length of closure of the bridge.

“Mums taking children to school suffered too. In fact, I don't know anyone who wasn't affected by the closure of Marlow Bridge.

“Something really does need to be done to stop large lorries from trying to cross the bridge.”