THOUSANDS of drivers will no longer be allowed to cross a crucial motorway bridge following a surprise ban on certain vehicles.
A new weight limit has been imposed on the M48 Severn crossing between Wales and England from next month – in a bid to protect the decades-old suspension bridge.
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Vehicles over 7.5 tonnes will no longer be able to use the route between Chepstow and Aust, Bristol from May 27 causing chaos for thousands of drivers.
They will instead be diverted to the second Severn crossing – the Prince of Wales bridge – to make the journey between Wales and England.
The bridge’s closure could add up to 95 miles onto drivers’ journeys.
Restrictions will stay in place for a minimum of 12 months, giving National Highway time to install measures to prevent the bridge’s main cables from further deterioration.
Emergency vehicles, road gritters, and coaches will still be able to use the crossing.
The announcement comes as surprise to councillors, who said they were not given any prior warning about this “big deal” of a change.
Taking to X, CEO of Monmouthshire County Council wrote: “Weight restrictions being imposed on the M48 Severn Bridge is quite a big deal.
“Would have been nice if the CEO of @MonmouthshireCC where it touches down in Wales had been informed more directly.”
Councillor Armand Watts from Bulwark and Thornwell council, near the bridge in Chepstow, also hit out at the government-run agency for its lack of communication – calling it a “sham”.
He told the Hereford Times: “I want to know why National Highways are carrying out a consultation after the decision? That’s not consultation that’s a sham to do consultation retrospectively”.
Others have expressed worry over the impact the closure will have on surrounding businesses and Monmouthshire’s economy.
One Labour councillor said: “Monmouthshire County Council has a plan to create so many jobs but if businesses in Chepstow can’t get HGVs on to the bridge what will it mean longer term? Will they look to Magor or over to Avonmouth?”
Another local also shared fears of increased pollution in Chepstow, as drivers opt for the A48 to avoid the bridge.
Residents have urged government to provide a “clear timeline” for repairs in order to reopen the crossing for drivers and “secure [its] long-term future“.
National Highways said local authorities were informed on Thursday and it had done everything it could to inform those who would be affected by the announcement.
A spokesperson said: “Safety is our number one priority, and this weight restriction is about future-proofing the bridge for years to come.
“Whist the bridge remains safe, it was not designed and built for today’s levels or weight of traffic. Vehicles have got heavier and traffic levels have increased significantly over the last 60 years putting greater load on the cables.
“As with all our structures, we will continue to monitor the bridge and ensure it remains safe for users.”
How will the new rules affect drivers?
- Only heavy-goods vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes able to use the route between Chepstow and Aust, Bristol, from 27 May
- Weight restrictions for heavy-goods vehicles will apply on the M48 Severn
- The new rules mean about 10 per cent of the 32,000 vehicles that cross at Chepstow every day will soon need to use the second Severn crossing
- The weight restriction would need to remain in place for an about 12 to 18 months
