More “robust” bollards at Marlow Bridge are set to be removed and replaced with new ones – after they were found not to be working.

Transport for Bucks (TfB) said today that the bollards installed in November last year have not stopped smaller HGVs from crossing the historic bridge and that drivers of oversized vehicles are “exploiting” the width tolerance to get their vehicles through.

It comes after the Marlow Free Press revealed the larger bollards, which 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, cost taxpayers £110,000.

The bollards were slammed by residents and businesses who said they were not working because they were too far apart.

They were installed 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.

TfB said today that traffic surveys indicate the new bollards have not stopped smaller HGVs from crossing the three-tonne weight-restricted bridge but have helped prevent larger lorries from doing so.

Tfb said in a statement: “The width tolerance was set as a consequence of public feedback obtained prior to installation of the new bollards with the purpose of accommodating slight driver misalignment that can occur on the approach to the bridge.

“However, it has been found that drivers of oversize vehicles have been exploiting the width tolerance to get their vehicles through, indicating that further width reduction is required.”

It says the work to install the replacement bollards will be less disruptive and quicker to undertake as the new reinforced concrete foundations allow for different bollards to be fitted into place.

The work is planned to take place in summer/autumn of this year.

TfB added: “In parallel with replacement of the bollards, TfB will continue to assess the structural capacity of the historic bridge to better understand its strength.”

Failed lighting on the bridge is also set to be repaired, with a road closure most likely to be in place while the work is carried out. Although a date for this has not been set yet, TfB said it hopes the work will take place during overnight closures in the summer.

Signage in the area will also be improved this year and next to give HGV drivers more warning about the bridge’s width and weight restrictions, and TfB will develop a plan to replace a failed bearing under the bridge, with the work set to take place in 2020/21.

Deputy leader and transport cabinet member Mark Shaw said: “We want the public to use the bridge, but we also need to protect it.

“There’s no 'one size fits all' solution to this problem but we are continuously working to make sure this iconic structure is looked after – protecting it is our priority.”