A major footbridge into Marlow was taken away at the weekend to be revamped.

Highways England will carry out essential maintenance to the Volvo footbridge, which will require it to be taken away for up to six weeks.

The A404 had to be closed in both directions between the junction with the A4155, just outside Marlow, and the Bisham roundabout over the weekend as a result.

The bridge requires work to the staircases and repainting and Transport for Bucks said it was not possible to do the work on-site.

Marlow’s historic bridge was set to be manned at all times by gatemen provided by Highways England to deter overweight vehicles from attempting to divert via the three-tonne weight restricted bridge while the A404 was closed.

But angry residents said the bridge was not manned and was “left open to abuse” by overweight vehicles diverted away from the closed bypass.

Highways England and Transport for Bucks said they were looking into why the bridge had not been guarded.

The Volvo footbridge is expected to be reinstalled in October, with weekend A404 closures taking place again between 9pm on October 12 until 5am on October 15.