Petition to replace the narrow bollards on Marlow bridge

[DiscoStu]

If you agree that the bollards are too narrow and should be replaced by an alternative, there is a petition with Bucks Council here:

http://nevermindthebollards.com

(...and if not, please ignore!)

[Roger]

Thanks for the info

[Cervantes]

Could the bridge not have Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras to issue a hefty fine automatically to any overweight vehicles. One of the few things Googling a number plate gives is the vehicle mass. Seems fairly straight forward.

Maybe combine with a height limit bar to stop the grossly overweight vehicles crossing and causing another inspection closure.

The wheel arch level barriers are a nightmare, it's one thing clipping an alloy every now and then but bodywork is a whole different ball game.

[Mozart]

I am in agreement with Cervantes. So many overweigh vehicles can still get through the barriers as I have observed so many times.

[Roger]

Weight checking was suggested too. The problem was where do you put ANPR cameras or weight checks, as you can’t have people being stopped just as they start to go over the bridge as they would not be able to turn round very easily, particularly larger vehicles. I suppose they could put one of those height barriers too, but the same problem.

[fision]

There are notifications of weight and width restrictions along the road to the bridge, so ANPR could be used although it wouldn't stop them but could automate issuing fines. It could be deployed further back with a message board to highlight vehicles registrations with warnings prior to them attempting to cross

[Roger]

They would need more than ANPR cameras both sides, they would also need some system of measuring the vehicle. Weight or size. Probably the cost would be pretty high.

[fision]

ANPR is only character recognition. It can be tied to different databases such as the DVLA vehicle look-up and augmented with further data sets including length, weight, height (which DLVA already have as its shown on the V5). The cost is data and a reasonable developer

[Merriman]

I realise that you can't turn back vehicles once they have entered the system, but you don't really need to, once they have been fined £100, they won't risk doing it again.

Number plate recognition cameras can easily determine the gross vehicle weight of the vehicle the registration number belongs to, so just put the cameras on the bridge itself?

[Cervantes]

Carful positioning of signs and the ANPRs themselves would be important. As suggested I guess the cameras would go mid bridge.

As for the height barrier it stops almost all overweight apart from the likes of Luxury SUVs. There is an issue with them having to turn around but that exists now. At least the height barrier can force the turn where as the bollards (judging by all the paint) may not.

Maybe ring fence the penalties until the cost of the system is repayed.

Like most things there is a balance as I think some would loose out. The Mercedes Sprinter type van seems like it would be under 3t but is very tall so wouldnt get under the barrier. I would hope during this consult they have decent vehicle data to weigh ( that up.

[Roger]

From the Council’s point of view it is probably much cheaper to have a couple of “tin openers” each end than to pay the DVLA for access to their data base on an on-going basis plus the cost of the equipment needed.

[Cervantes]

Good point Roger. I really miss my Hot Hatch. I didn't have to care about the bridge back then