Marlow Bridge could be set for a revamp in time for the summer if plans are given the green light.

The town council wants to install new lights on the iconic bridge after the old ones were reportedly vandalised and removed more than a decade ago.

It said it was considering two different options to light up the arches and the bridge structure, which could cost up to £35,000, and was hoping to get permission from Bucks County Council for the project which is still in early stages.

The news comes as question marks still surround the future of the bridge, after a safety report by Transport for Bucks (TfB) last year highlighted 18 different options to protect it from overweight vehicles, after a 37-tonne HGV forced it to close for two months in 2016 when trying to cross it.

Town mayor Jocelyn Towns said it would be “fabulous” if the lighting project was given the go-ahead.

She said: “An awful lot of people in Marlow don’t have any idea that there were lights on the bridge.

“We have just got to go through the right processes. We have to wait for approval from the various bodies, but I am sure this won’t take too long.

“It would be good to get them in place in time for the many events we have coming up in Marlow.”

The town council is hoping to get the lights in place in time for Pub in the Park and the annual town regatta, which take place in May and June respectively.

Cllr Towns added: “It’s something I’ve been working on for a while. It is a lovely bridge and it would look fantastic lit up.”

Town councillors approved a spend of up to £35,000 for the project from its existing reserves at the last meeting of the full council.

But question marks still surround the safety of the bridge, with serious concerns raised in a safety report if drivers continue to flout weight restrictions.

Engineers from TfB undertook the safety study in April 2016 to give added protection to the three-tonne weight restricted bridge in a bid to prevent another closure.

When it was completed last year it considered 18 different options, including increasing the weight limit to 3.5 tonnes and installing CCTV or Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) on either side of the bridge.

At the time, Bucks County Council’s deputy leader and transport cabinet member Mark Shaw said once a preferred option was selected, he would look at delivery and funding.

Marlovians have now slammed the council for the length of time it has taken to come up with a solution to protect their bridge, saying they feel “let down”.

TfB said in a statement: “The Marlow Bridge is a key local landmark, and is important to both the economy and local residents of Marlow.

“Detailed proposals on changes to the existing physical highway constraints are being finalised in preparation for local consultation. This is expected to be undertaken later this year.

“Work has also commenced on the analysis of the bridge, to facilitate discussions with the Department for Transport on possible changes to the weight limit.

“In the meantime, Thames Valley Police continue to undertake periodic enforcement activities at the bridge, and we would like to remind drivers to observe both the statutory weight and width restrictions.”