A local councillor has denied that a build-up of dirt and emissions on a Grade-I listed bridge in Buckinghamshire is a 'significant problem'. 

Marlow residents frustrated with the "embarrassing" appearance of their town's landmark suspension bridge took action into their own hands last Saturday (January 13) when armed with suds and sponges, they braced the cold to stage an orchestrated cleaning effort, highlighting the dilapidated state of the Grade-I listed structure.

The volunteers visibly cleared dirt that had accumulated on the bridge's railings in under half an hour of scrubbing and decried the "years of neglect" from the local council that had left it in such a "degenerative" condition.

Speaking to the Free Press today (January 17), Steven Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport at Buckinghamshire Council, said the dirtiness of the bridge would be logged and dealt with if and when it became a "significant problem".

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He added: “Emissions from vehicles using the bridge do affect its appearance and over time can build up.

"Marlow Bridge is a much-loved historic structure that is maintained by Buckinghamshire Council and our priority continues to focus on ensuring that the bridge remains safe for all users.

“Significant maintenance and improvement work is already planned and will commence in February, as we continue to undertake routine maintenance as part of our scheduled programmes of work.

“The activities include the final phase of planned painting work, which will see the Marlow end of the bridge and the western parapet over the central part of the river repainted.”