The four bridges in Richmond borough classed as "substandard" all cross railway lines.

This means they are unable to carry the heaviest vehicles now seen on our roads, including lorries of up to 44 tonnes.

Recent research by the RAC Foundation found 3,105 substandard bridges across the country.

In Richmond, there are 31 bridges and four of these were considered substandard – but one has since been improved.

A spokesperson for Richmond Council said the road bridges classed as substandard are:

1. Church Road Bridge (crossing railway lines) near Richmond Station;
2. High Park Road Bridge (crossing railway lines) near Kew;
3. Queens Ride Bridge (crossing railway lines) near Barnes;
4. Rocks Lane Bridge (crossing railway lines) near Barnes Station, which has now been strengthened to full carrying capacity.

Substandard bridges may be subject to weight restrictions, while others will be under programmes of increased monitoring or even managed decline.

Councils want to bring a majority of their substandard bridges back up to full carrying capacity, but may lack the financial means to do so.

Many Richmond residents have experienced the effect of a bridge not being properly maintained.

The 133-year-old Hammersmith Bridge over the Thames was closed to motorised vehicles in April 2019.

Then, most infamously, it was shut completely last August after microcracks were found in the cast iron pedestals at each end of the bridge that support the suspension structure.

The work required to reopen the bridge to vehicles is estimated to cost £141 million and Richmond Council has been supporting the local council in Hammersmith and other agencies to find solutions.

Transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association, Cllr David Renard, said: "Bridges are a vital part of our highways infrastructure that connect communities and business.

"Councils are doing their best to ensure they are well maintained and withstand extreme weather.

"However, this is becoming increasingly challenging in the face of a backlog of nearly £10 billion to bring our roads up to scratch."