After work was completed last week on Marlow Bridge which adjustied the width between the bridge bollards, long-awaited ANPR cameras could also be installed to help deter heavy vehicles from using the historic structure.
ANPR cameras read the number plate of passing vehicles and check them in a database of vehicles of interest to DVSA.
Weigh-in-motion equipment will allow the DVSA to identify overloaded vehicles and help target which vehicles to stop and check.
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In 2016, the bridge was forced to shut as it saw “overstressing on key structural parts” when an HGV driver from a European haulage company vastly exceeded the three-tonne weight limit in his 37-tonne lorry, blowing a tyre and getting stuck.
Two months later another disaster was barely averted when an overweight van attempted to cross it five minutes after it was officially reopened following extensive inspections.
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Then, in 2017, one lorry managed to get through its width restrictions before being flagged down; while on a separate occasion a P&O Ferrymasters wagon blew its tyres while attempting to cross the weight-restricted bridge.
A Bensons for Beds lorry also exceeded the bridge weight limit in 2019.
A spokesman for Transport for Buckinghamshire said: "Buckinghamshire Council is exploring whether or not permanent ANPR cameras could be used to help deter and enforce against overweight vehicles from crossing the bridge instead of the current physical barriers.
"This will be investigated over the forthcoming year, during which time traffic surveys will be undertaken at the bridge to better understand how many overweight vehicles continue to breach the weight restrictions.
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The DVSA has rules making sure ANPR data can only be accessed for a legal reason to help with an investigation.
Authorised DVSA staff have access to ANPR data up to 90 days old and only if it’s relevant to their job.
ANPR data is then deleted after 12 months from the date it was collected unless previously stored as evidence.
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