A four-month study of options to protect Marlow Bridge from the threat of overweight vehicles is set to begin next month.

Engineers from Transport for Bucks will carry out a safety study of options to give added protection to the three-tonne weight restricted bridge in a bid to prevent another closure.

The study, which will start in April, will explore different measures like signage and barriers to high-tech solutions like number plate recognition equipment and will produce a shortlist of preferences.

It follows extensive inspection and testing of the bridge structure during a two-month closure in September after a 37-tonne lorry forced its way across.

Mark Kemp, Bucks 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.

He said: "Our engineers need time to look carefully at a wide range of options, and narrow them to a handful of realistic preferences.

"Collating the results of the study will take time because we want to reach the right conclusions in consultation with the people of Marlow."

The news of the study comes as Thames Valley Police prepare to move into "phase two" of their bridge weight restriction programme. 

Since March 1, officers have been stationed at both ends of the bridge for hours at a time and handing out advisory notices to drivers of overweight vehicles. 

However, as the education programme nears completion, police are preparing to start slapping drivers with £50 fines.