New alignment markers, installed last week, have been removed from Marlow Bridge after multiple complaints of vehicle damage.

Transport for Bucks has confirmed that flexible alignment markers, installed on Marlow Bridge bollards last week, have been removed after members of the public reported wing mirror damage due to the positioning of the width restriction measures. 

The markers were introduced by Buckinghamshire Council as part of a trial aimed at assisting motorists in navigating the bridge's 3-tonne width restrictions.

However, some residents felt that the new measures were ineffectual in solving the problems posed by HGVs breaching the restriction and causing damage to the historic infrastructure.

In the Positively Marlow Facebook group, Vicki Jones wrote: “All the heavy overweight vehicles can still pass through as their wing mirrors go over the top. Small, low, normal cars are affected as they are level with the mirrors so they’re not helpful at all in stopping the vehicles that shouldn’t be crossing!” 

Cabinet Minister for Transport, Steven Broadbent, said the markers will now be trimmed before they are reinstalled back onto the bollards.

He added: "The flexible markers are intended to improve the line of sight and to enable motorists to align their vehicles through the width restrictions, with the aim of reducing accidental impact with the bollards.

"They were removed on March 29 after some members of the public stated that their wing mirrors were striking them - despite the width offering adequate clearance for vehicles of the appropriate size.

"To address this issue, the markers will now be trimmed and reinstalled back onto the bollards. We remain committed to safeguarding the condition of Marlow Suspension Bridge."

READ MORE: Marlow bridge: A history of width restriction incidents

The flexible alignment markers are the latest in a series of efforts from Buckinghamshire Council to minimise damage to the Grade-I listed bridge. 

Temporary ANPR cameras, installed in November 2021, found that on average 97 vehicles were breaching the 3-tonne weight limit every day.

Back in 2016, the bridge was left in need of repairs totalling £200,000 after a 37-tonne lorry broke down while crossing and more recently, it was blocked overnight when a motorhome became stuck between the bollards.