Member alert: New weight restrictions for M48 Severn Crossing

From Tuesday 27 May, heavy goods vehicles over 7.5-tonnes will need to use the Prince of Wales bridge to travel between England and Wales.

This weight restriction means that two lanes on the M48 bridge will remain open to all other vehicles, ensure the safety of the bridge, and reduce the load on the cables.

The weight restriction will need to remain in place for an estimated 12 to 18 months, dependent on further investigations and whilst National Highways develops and installs a medium-term solution, which will help manage in real-time the number of vehicles over 7.5t using the bridge. This will ensure vehicle loads remain within safe limits.

The M48 Severn Bridge will remain open to all emergency vehicles, scheduled buses, coaches, gritters and recovery vehicles. In the event that there is an unplanned closure of the Prince of Wales bridge, HGVs over 7.5t will need to follow the official diversion route via the M5 and the M50. As part of the enforcement of the new weight restriction, it is understood that National Highways are exploring the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (APNR) cameras. 

For more information click here.