Marlow Forum demands cash for bridge renovation (From Bucks Free Press)

Marlow Forum demands cash for bridge renovation

6:30am Monday 15th March 2010 in

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money must be released by council bosses “immediately” to save ailing Marlow Bridge falling into further disrepair, the town’s major bodies have demanded.

Marlow Community Forum, which represents Marlow Town Council, The Rotary Club of Marlow, Marlow Chamber of Trade, among others, says the Grade One listed structure looks “dreadful” and “scruffy”.

The organisations have thrown their weight “whole heartedly” behind a petition to have cash released.

They believe the town’s most symbolic icon has started to create a bad impression which will damage Marlow’s image and deter tourists.

It follows calls for action from The Marlow Society who said it had become a “disgrace” in Autumn last year.

Petition sheets have been distributed widely in the town and have attracted dozens of signatures so far.

Tony Shannon, chairman of The Riley Park Trust, one of the forum’s members, said: “For such an important bridge, it summarises Marlow in every possible way.

“It looks dreadful and scruffy especially for a tourist town in the summer and the sheer numbers who flock in here.”

Wooden rails are rotting on the Grade One listed bridge and paintwork is flaking away.

The 1832 structure is the work of 19th century engineer William Tierney Clark, whose only other surviving bridge is in Budapest, the capital of Hungary.

Marlow is twinned with Budavar, a district in Budapest, because of the link and visitors on a recent trip were shocked at the difference in the two crossovers, the forum said.

Marlow Community Forum spokesman Jo Braybrooke said the group “whole heartedly” wanted to take action because it had been “neglected”.

“We're trying to keep the standard of Marlow up to keep it as nice place to come, the bridge is the gateway," she said.

“We can only apply pressure on the council and hope they can find some money for it.”

The forum believe the state of the bridge will only get worse and are even concerned it could potentially become dangerous for walkers who rest on the side of the bridge to look out at the views.

They are concerned the wood is not robust.

Senior bridge inspector for Buckinghamshire Tim Rackham had previously told the Free Press work was not urgent and there were no safety concerns.

He said he would like to carry out refurbishment but was restricted by finances.

In 2007 Buckinghamshire County Council spent about £15,000 on some replacement wood for the parapets – but the wood is still sitting in a warehouse because of a lack of funding to carry out the work.

The budget to repair around 600 bridges and culverts in Buckinghamshire is £255,000 for 2009/10, with a reserve of £55,000. The 2008/9 budget was £300,000.

To sign the petition go to www.ipetitions.com/petition/marlowbridge or contact Mrs Braybrooke for a hard copy on 07789 175838 or e-mail jorod@btinternet.com

* MARLOW Community Forum consists of representatives from Marlow Community Association, Marlow Town Council, Marlow Thames Rotary Club, The Rotary Club of Marlow, the Town Twinning Association, Marlow Chamber of Trade, Royal British Legion, Churches Together, The Marlow Society, Marlow Townswomen's Guild, Marlow Parents, Marlow Age Concern, the Marlow Museum project and Riley Park Trust.