New restrictions on crossing between England and Wales

About 10% of traffic will have to follow diversion routes

Weight restrictions have now been implemented for heavy-goods vehicles on a key crossing between England and Wales

Introduced on the M48 Severn Bridge, the limits mean vehicles over 7.5 tonnes in weight will need to find other routes. It has been estimated that about 10% of the 32,000 vehicles that cross at Chepstow every day will have to to use a diversion via the M4 bridge.

National Highways said the restrictions are in place to ensure the safety of the 60-year-old bridge and to reduce the load on its cables.

Restrictions are expected to be in place for 12 to 18 months while a medium-term solution is developed and installed.

The crossing will remain open to all emergency vehicles, scheduled buses, coaches, gritters and recovery vehicles.

During unplanned closures of the Prince of Wales bridge, vehicles over the weight threshold will be diverted via the M5 and M50, with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (APNR) cameras being explored by National Highways to support enforcement.

Some hauliers have said this diversion could be devastating for their businesses.

A director of an Avonmouth-based haulage company warned the alternative route into Wales via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge is not always reliable, and drivers could be forced to take lengthy detours around Gloucester.

But, National Highways bosses said they had "no choice" but to impose weight limits in the interest of public safety, and that they are looking for a long-term solution to allow HGVs to return "in a controlled manner".