More “robust” bollards are being installed at Marlow Bridge this week in a bid to deter overweight vehicles from crossing it.

The old bell-shaped bollards will be removed and new, larger bollards will be installed on both approaches to the bridge.

Transport for Bucks says the new bollards are designed to be “much more difficult” for HGVs to get through.

It comes in a bid to prevent a repeat of scenes from 2016 when a lorry driver ignored the three-tonne weight limit and drove over it, forcing it to close for two months.

And less than a year later, another lorry burst its tyres attempting to cross it.

Both approaches to the bridge will also be resurfaced and new pedestrian crossing refuge islands will be installed outside Burgers as part of a joint scheme with Marlow Town Council using Local Area Forum funding.

The work, which is expected to take up to three weeks, will take place overnight during weekdays, between 9pm and 6am, with the bridge expected to be closed while the bollards are being installed

It will remain open during the day and TfB said there will be restrictions in place to protect the bridge when the old bollards have been removed and the new ones have not been fully installed.

Bucks County Council’s deputy leader and transport cabinet member, Mark Shaw, said: “It is anticipated that these sturdier measures will deter and prevent overweight vehicles abusing or ignoring the 3.5-tonne weight limit on the historic Marlow Bridge.

“This work has been a long time coming, and I’m glad that after all the investigations and planning that has been going on behind the scenes we are finally able to move ahead.

“The new bollards have been designed to be less easy to abuse than the old ones, and will offer additional protection to an important historic structure.”