National Highways is exploring options to manage the number of HGVs crossing the Severn Bridge, meaning the current weight restrictions could be removed by October 2026.
For junction one, the first proposal would introduce signals to control access for all vehicles to the bridge, whereas the second would introduce a dedicated HGV lane via the off-slip and on-slip, managing their entry to the bridge separately from other vehicles.
At Junction 2, National Highways proposes to either control HGV movements using traffic signals across the roundabout or, similarly to Junction 1, control HGV access from the eastbound on-slip using signals.
National Highways said it is 'now engaging with South Wales Trunk Road Agency, local highways authorities, including Monmouthshire County Council, and several businesses and hauliers in the area, ahead of implementation by October 2026'.
If successful, these signals would mean that the diversion across the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge would no longer be necessary for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes.
Since May this year, only vehicles below 7.5 tonnes in weight have been able to use the M48 Severn crossing to minimise further damage to the cables, which inspections showed were deteriorating.
According to National Highways, the system would operate ‘freely’ to release HGVs for the ‘vast majority of the time’ to ensure they are spread out across the length of the bridge and not concentrated in one area of the structure. It states that this would create ‘very little delay’ to HGV or car traffic.
The M48 Severn Bridge carried around 32,000 vehicles a day in 2024, 3,270 of which were over 7.5t, meaning around 10% of traffic is currently diverted via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.
Alan Feist, programme leader for National Highways, said: ‘Safety is our number one priority, and this weight restriction is about keeping the bridge safe for use now and for years to come.
‘Whilst 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.
‘We appreciate that this has been disruptive for businesses and hauliers, but we have been working at pace on these options and are pleased to be in on track to get HGVs back onto the M48 bridge next year.’
Image credit: Peter Adams Photography / Shutterstock
