Residents breathed a sigh of relief after Marlow Bridge was reopened last week, ending two months of traffic chaos – but there are now fears for its future as “inconsiderate” drivers in overweight vehicles have been spotted breaking the law and crossing the bridge.

Just minutes after the bridge, which has a three-tonne weight limit, was officially reopened, Transport for Bucks workmen who were taking down barriers rushed to stop an overweight van from continuing across the weight-restricted bridge.   

And on Wednesday morning, a stunned driver watched as a 7.5 tonne lorry brazenly drove over the width restrictions on the bridge to get to Marlow.

Marlow resident, Jackie McGonigle, was returning from Bisham when she saw a tyre lorry mount the restrictive bollards and force his way over the bridge.

She said: “He was actually on the bollards, and he did the same on the other side. I couldn’t believe it.

“There are signs everywhere and the driver clearly knew he was over the weight limit. It is absolutely outrageous. These drivers obviously have no conscience, it is completely stupid.”

Calls have now been made for better enforcement of the rules.

Ms McGonigle added: “Shops in the High Street have lost up to 40 per cent of their trade, all because a lorry driver took his clearly overweight vehicle over the bridge. It caused so much misery for drivers, it really has impacted everyone.

“Perhaps a camera could be installed. Obviously drivers do this because they know they won’t get pulled up on it. There seems to be no consequences at all.”

Mark Shaw, Bucks County Council transport cabinet member, said he was annoyed and disappointed that “inconsiderate” drivers of overweight vehicles had been seen disregarding the safe weight limit on Marlow Bridge.

He said: “These drivers know they’re breaking the law, and I’d urge people who see them and photograph them to report them to the police.

“I’m absolutely determined that we do everything possible to keep our bridge safe. We really don’t want a repeat of the two-month closure that inconvenienced so many people.

“But this isn’t the time for knee-jerking, and if we’re to find a proper engineered solution to this problem, we’ll need a full study that takes account of the views of residents and businesses, and considers the conservation area in which the bridge sits, so that whatever we do doesn’t look unsightly and is in sympathy with the environment.”