LORRIES will be reversing along a city route for the next two years while a £30m hotel is built in order to preserve a 19th century bridge.

A 7.5 tonne weight restriction on Quaking Bridge has been made permanent by Oxfordshire County Council to keep it safe while a new 140-bedroom Marriott hotel is constructed in Paradise Street.

When Oxford City councillors approved the plans in May they ordered developers Dominvs to draw up a travel plan.

The traffic management plan revealed large lorries will have to reverse out of Paradise Street - a manoeuvre, which will be overseen by 'fully trained' traffic marshals.

The statement from construction firm McAleer and Lushe said: "Larger lorries are effectively entering a ‘dead end’ street as they cannot physically turn left onto St. Thomas’ street - too narrow - or turn right onto Quaking Bridge.

"In order to manage the exit, the lorries will have to reverse back to the junction of Paradise Square/Castle Street and turn.

It added: "This manoeuvre will be managed with the aid of fully trained, qualified and certified traffic marshals in direct contact with each other via two-way radios employed by McAleer & Rushe"

Quaking Bridge has existed - in various forms - from at least the late 13th century, but the current iron bridge was built in 1835.

Preparatory work has already begun for the new hotel including the demolition of the Cooper Callas building and it could be completed in 2019.

The weight restriction seeks to block large vehicles using the bridge 'to preserve the bridge and for the safety of road users.'

Oxford Preservation Trust director Debbie Dance said it was the right move and suggested a future ban on cars as well.

But she said initially the trust hoped coaches would access the restored Oxford Castle along Paradise Street before the county council banned the move.

She said: "Nowadays restricting the weights on Quaking Bridge feels right.

"This is a special bit of Oxford full of town heritage and a part of the city people are visiting more and more.

"We want them to be able to stand on the bridge and enjoy the views of St George’s and the general atmosphere without trepidation.

"So no to big lorries and who knows perhaps no cars could follow."

More than 100 residents opposed the initial hotel plans, with some complaining Paradise Street and St Thomas' Street were too narrow to cope with the volume of traffic it would bring into the city.

Swan Bridge, which also leads into the site, has a 12.5 tonne weight limit which will also be enforced throughout construction.

Contractors will have to apply for an 'abnormal load permit' if they need to get heavier vehicles through.