HIGHWAYS bosses today start work to install long-awaited warning signs at a dangerous Hampshire bridge.

In just a few weeks last year, six lorries became wedged under the bridge, in Greatbridge Road, Romsey.

Some jammed firmly beneath the protective beam, while others wobbled precariously over one of the main roads into the town centre.

Now, Hampshire County Council highways bosses have swung into action and triggered a £120,000 warning scheme.

Lib Dem councillor Mark Cooper, who called for urgent action in October last year, told the Daily Echo: "The crash frequency got worse recently because of a change in size of lorry containers, so the council have reacted unusually promptly.

"I am very pleased that something is being done about it. The incidents could have led to a pedestrian fatality."

A county council spokesman said: "There has been an unexplained escalation in the number of strikes in recent months, and although the bridge is owned by Network Rail, the county council has been sufficiently concerned to take action itself."

Work on the automatic height detector signs is expected to start today and should last for six weeks.

Two signs will be installed on the northern approach to the railway bridge, in Greatbridge Road and Fishlake Meadows, and one will be placed on the southern approach, at the junction with Dutton Road and Princes Road.

Each time a lorry cuts the beam at a fixed height above the road, a flashing warning sign will light up, urging the driver to turn back.

Hampshire's environment boss Keith Estlin added: "The footways under the bridge are extensively used and we cannot risk a lorry toppling over on to one of these footways.

"This situation cannot continue. Detectors activate the new warning signs, so there really will be no excuse for overheight vehicles to get stuck under the bridge."