More "robust" bollards to protect an iconic Marlow landmark from overweight vehicles have been slammed by residents who say they are too far apart.

Larger bollards have been installed at Marlow Bridge 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.

The new bollards were proposed by Bucks County Council as a trial to see if vehicles like Luton vans and 7.5 tonne lorries could be prevented from using the bridge as a shortcut to the A404 Marlow Bypass.

It came after serious concerns were raised over the future of the bridge earlier this year after an investigation found “clear evidence” that vehicles heavier than the three-tonne weight limit frequently use the bridge, sparking fears the beloved landmark could be permanently damaged if drivers continue to flout restrictions.

But Marlow residents have criticised the new bollards, with Michael Eagleton saying a large number of people were “astounded” at their shape and size.

He said: “Promised of course to further restrict overweight vehicles crossing the bridge, but these new things are over nine inches further apart than the previous bollards and set back four inches on each side behind raised kerbs.

“If a wide vehicle attempted to cross by mounting these kerbs it would then become stuck fast between the bollards and the bridge would become blocked.

“We were all expecting the new bollards to be less width apart than before and be of a design that would totally prevent vehicles over the designated width making any attempt to cross.”

In an email to Mr Eagleton, seen by the Marlow Free Press, Transport for Bucks said the passable width was narrower than it was when the previous bollards were in place and that it would ask a site engineer if anything could be done to improve the vertical alignment of the new bollards.

The email said: “A width contingency has been built into the layout here following feedback received by residents, the mayor of Marlow and some of the people who attended the public consultation.

“We will also undertake a post-completion traffic survey to understand how many vehicles over 3T continue to cross the bridge.

“We could repeat this survey periodically to gain more reliable data if necessary.

“Once the results of this are known we will have a better understanding if further improvements are required.

“The fixing bolts of the current bollards are fixed in place and cannot be moved.”