Marlow Bridge: Major plans submitted for repairs and upgrades to historic landmark

Marlow Bridge could soon be set for major repair works after plans were submitted aiming to rejuvenate the near 200-year-old landmark.

Buckinghamshire Council has applied to undertake extensive work and remedy ‘severe deterioration’ on the grade I listed structure.

Plans outlined in the council’s application include repainting parts of the bridge; replacing its wooden footways; and cleaning and repointing its two towers.

Marlow Bridge opened in 1832 and was designed by William Tierney Clark, the designer of Marlow Bridge’s larger twin in Budapest across the Danube.

Planning documents from AtkinsRealis UK Limited, submitted on behalf of Buckinghamshire Council, said:  

“The proposed conservation works to Marlow Bridge will help to better reveal its significance by undertaking interventions which will mitigate areas of erosion, failure and deterioration.

“The design development has targeted areas of severe deterioration which could, without intervention, result in more harmful long-term permanent impacts.”

Surveyors have been investigating Marlow Bridge over the past year, ahead of the refurbishment plans being submitted.

Although the bridge is still operational, five of the 12 bearings which help support it have failed – which the plans said could risk ‘significant long-term’ problems if not addressed.

All of these bearings are set to be replaced with a new estimated lifespan of 120 years, the planning documents said.

In addition, work would be carried out to recoat protective paint under the bridge; as well as cleaning, repainting and repairing much of the top side too.

Weather damage to the masonry towers is also expected to be fixed and new lighting installed.

Road and pedestrian access is expected to remain open during works – which have not yet been given a start date and still need approval – though, plans have not yet confirmed how this will be arranged.

The planning documents said ‘appropriate safety measures’ would be in place.

It added, though vehicle traffic was ‘assumed to continue during the works’ a risk assessment and ‘appropriate traffic management’ would need to be in place.

Leader of Marlow Town Council, Chris Funnell, said: “I think it’s positive news, there’s been a great deal of frustration about a lack of progress about work on the bridge.”

In the last year, residents – armed with buckets of water, sponges and brushes - have taken it upon themselves to clean the historic bridge.

Cllr Funnel said: “It’s a grade I listed structure and it’s very important because it frames Marlow.

“It was the main entrance into Marlow for a long time – at least before the A404 was built - and it’s still absolutely critical to getting in from the Bisham side.”

Marlow Town Council has submitted its own plan to put in new lights on Marlow Bridge, which is still to be decided on by Buckinghamshire Council.

Bisham Parish Council chairman Jim Cooke also told the Advertiser plans for repairs to the bridge were ‘good news’.

Marlow Town Council and Bisham Parish Council are set to hold planning meetings this week where more details of plans for Marlow Bridge will be discussed.