Work starts to restore 'iconic' listed bridge

Some road closures will be put in place while the work is carried out, Buckinghamshire Council said

Work to restore a Grade I listed suspension bridge damaged by heavy lorries has begun.

Marlow Bridge, which crosses the Thames, was completed in 1832, but "over time it has suffered from wear and tear", Buckinghamshire Council said.

As part of phased work, the nearby Marlow Canoe Club building will be demolished to give access to the underside of the structure. New support bearings will be added which were critical for the "safe operation of the crossing".

The council said the "iconic" bridge will remain open during most of the work, which is set to be completed by 2027.

The Grade I listed structure spans the River Thames between Marlow and Bisham in Berkshire

The authority said it was important to "preserve the bridge for the future", and it had consulted Heritage England and local heritage teams about the plans.

It added that the 12 new bearings, which give support to the bridge deck, were designed to last for about 50 years.

The authority reassured residents that it had worked closely with both the Canoe Club and Marlow Rowing Club, which uses parts of the bridge's underside for equipment storage, to provide suitable alternative arrangements during the works, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Councillor Thomas Broom, Conservative cabinet member for transport, said the council had been working to ensure it has "as little impact on the residents of Marlow as possible".

He added: "This is a major infrastructure project to restore and retain an iconic structure in the county."

The second phase of the work will include restoring the steelwork on the underside of the bridge, then cleaning the structure and reinstating protective coatings.

Designs were still being finalised for the final phase, but the plans included the renewal of pedestrian walkways and lighting, restoration of the bridge's historic masonry towers, repainting of the structure, and additional safety and visual upgrades.

Marlow Bridge, was built between 1829 and 1832, and was designed by William Tierney Clark.

The council said the last major works were completed between 1965 and 1966.