Bridges across Oxfordshire are being strengthened to stop them collapsing under the weight of new 40-tonne lorries.

The county council's environmental committee has been told that 150 out of 600 bridges will not be able to carry the weight without risk of collapse.

Now a package of temporary measures has been agreed to strengthen the bridges, following a ruling that the new, heavier lorries will be allowed on to Britain's roads.

Councillors are also pressing the Government to bring in more effective ways of enforcing weight limits.

Chief engineer Richard Dix said: "All our bridges have been examined to see if they are strong enough to carry the heavier lorries.

"The original intention was to strengthen those bridges found to be weak. The Government set up a special fund for us to do this.

"However, cuts have left us with a backlog."

Mr Dix said 30 bridges had been identified which were thought to be at "immediate risk."

On these, temporary weight restrictions, closure of one lane, or strengthening measures will be implemented.

"On the majority of bridges we have stepped up the number of inspections to give early warning of any signs of trouble, so that we can take action if necessary," he said.

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