A FRUSTRATED motorist who says she is sick of seeing sights like this one on Marlow Bridge is calling for a high-tech solution to the problem.

The final straw for Marlow resident Lyn Reade came after she followed this pick-up truck over the iconic structure last Thursday which appeared to be well over the three-tonne limit.

The Australian, who moved here last year, says she loves the bridge and sees the limit abused regularly in the way pictured during her two crossings per day on the way to work in Cookham Dean.

And she is now calling for something to be done to protect the 19th century crossing, insisting technology should be deployed as a long-term solution to keep it for future generations.

She said: "I know there has been a lot of talk about the load limit for our bridge and how it should best be managed. I'm continually amazed that something more can't be done to protect it from vehicles that obviously shouldn't be using it.

"There seems to be a total disregard of the limit by some drivers. Has the council entertained putting a camera on the bridge to capture photos of these oversize vehicles?

"With the amazing technology that we have today, surely there is some way that vehicles can be weighed on their way either onto or across the bridge and a photo taken of those that exceed the limit.

"I would hate to see this beautiful bridge destroyed or rendered unusable by the endless string of vehicles with drivers who only care about themselves and not about the bridge."

Len Smith, structures manager for Transport for Buckinghamshire, said although automated warning systems exist, they cannot be used to prosecute.

He said: "There aren’t many bridges and tunnels with that sort of system. When you are talking about legal enforcement you are into a completely different area.

"If the police challenge you for speeding then they will use a speed gun which has been highly tested and certified and any other enforcement equipment needs to meet higher standards."

He added that TfB’s feedback has been the opposite to Mrs Reade’s, with motorists complaining enforcement has been too great and that families in 4x4s have been turned around.

Marlow’s top policeman Inspector Scott Messenger has previously suggested raising the limit to allow large family vehicles that may straddle the three tonne mark to pass over.

He told the MFP earlier this year that though he cares about the future and integrity of the bridge, a higher limit would make enforcement easier.

Inspector Messenger said a raised limit of 3.5 tonnes would allow for those clearly flouting the rules such as commercial vehicles to be caught.

However, Mr Smith said raising the limit incrementally in this way is not normally done and would be operationally difficult.

He added: "Marlow Bridge is a very significant structure and is inside a conservation area. We are comfortable that three tonnes is the appropriate limit."