Marlow Bridge will undergo several tests to protect the structure of the landmark.

Starting next week (Monday, September 23), the bridge will have a proximity sensor attached to the bollards, which will determine the driver’s behaviour and vehicle’s alignment when crossing the bridge.

Drivers will be alerted if their vehicle exceeds the three-tonne weight limit and the two-metre width restriction when crossing the bridge, via visual display units which will be implemented by the side of the bridge. A message will then flash up notifying the driver.

The campaign is intended to help deter and prevent overweight/oversized vehicles from crossing the bridge, with the initiative lasting until Monday, October 21.

Deputy leader and cabinet transport member, Mark Shaw, said: “Education and data gathering are a key part of the prevention process and we need to do whatever it takes to protect this iconic structure and change behaviour.

“Gathering data whilst lifting awareness to the highest level is a collaborative process and will enable us to demonstrate further restrictions we may have to put in place.

“Whilst we do not want to jump to conclusions at this stage the final data may take us in the direction of re-engineering the bollards to a tighter width again, to protect at all costs a costly and catastrophic event from occurring in the future, this exercise will help inform us of the options available to us going forward.”

The project will be carried out by Councillor Alex Collingwood along with Marlow Town Council, and the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead.

Over the last three years, the bridge has been the subject to a lot of damage due to vehicles exceeding the weight limit.

Most notably, in September 2016, the popular and historic bridge was closed for approximately six months after a Girteka Logistics lorry – believed to be from Lithuania - drove through traffic calming measures, blew a tyre and got stuck.

Following an initial inspection, Transport for Bucks revealed that the bridge suffered from “overstressing on key structural parts” which included the abutment bearing and the steel hangers from the chain.

Additionally, in July 2018, motorists shared their displeasure on social media after another heavy goods vehicle was spotted crossing over the bridge.