A parish councillor has warned motorists not to ignore road closure signs after Cookham Bridge was shut off due to safety concerns.

The key route between Cookham in Berkshire and Bourne End in Buckinghamshire was closed by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council yesterday (March 31).

In an email to councillors, an emergency duty officer from the RBWM said two "large concrete blocks" had broken loose from a temporary mooring and come into contact with the bridge after flowing downstream.

Adding: "The police were called to the scene and closed the bridge on safety grounds as they were not sure if (the blocks) had caused any damage to the bridge support legs.

"One of the blocks is slowly sinking and there is a risk that it may become lodged under the bridge and cause damage to the structure.

Bucks Free Press:

"I have asked Volker Highways to put out 'road closed' signs at both sides of the bridge until I can get an engineer out to look at it and advise whether it can be reopened."

However, Cookham Parish Councillor Anna-Louise Regan said some drivers have been "moving the 'road closed' signs" out of the way and crossing the bridge in their vehicles this morning (April 1).

She described such actions as "highly dangerous" before a structural assessment of any damage caused by the blocks takes place.

Cookham Bridge was originally closed in October 2023 for "essential maintenance" works including bearing replacement, re-waterproofing, resurfacing and joint replacement.

It was reopened ahead of schedule on Friday, March 15, with final works underneath the structure expected to continue until April.