Severn Bridge HGV ban may be lifted by next autumn

The M48 Severn Bridge was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1966

A signal system to allow heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) to return to using the M48 Severn Bridge between England and Wales could be in place by next autumn.

The key crossing between South Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire has been closed to vehicles over 7.5 tonnes since May in a bid to reduce the load on the bridge due to weakening cables.

The restrictions, which were expected to remain in place for 12 to 18 months, have resulted in vehicles over the threshold having to take a detour via the M4 Prince of Wales bridge.

Alan Feist, from National Highways, said they appreciated how "disruptive" this had been but were "on track" to get HGVs back onto the M48 bridge next year.

Mr Feist, said the 60-year-old bridge was "not designed and built for today's levels or weight of traffic".

"Safety is our number one priority," he said.

"Vehicles have got heavier and traffic levels have increased significantly over the last 60 years, putting greater load on the cables."

He added, that continued use of the bridge by heavier vehicles could "ultimately see it closed to all traffic".

"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 on track to get HGVs back onto the M48 bridge next year."

The bridge has been closed to HGVs since May, after safety inspections showed deterioration to the supporting cables

Last year, about 32,000 vehicles a day used the M48 Severn Bridge, with an estimated 10% of the traffic being over the weight limit.

In a bid to not "overload" the bridge's supporting cables, a signal system is being proposed to "ensure there are never too many HGVs" crossing at one time.

National Highways, the UK government agency responsible for the bridge, said it was looking at two options - at both junctions one and two of the M48 - to manage loads and control access to the bridge.

But it said for the "vast majority of the time" the system would operate "freely to release HGVs so they are spread out across the length of the bridge and not concentrated in close proximity".

It added this would mean "very little delay" to HGV or car traffic.

The government agency said it was now engaging with local agencies, highways authorities, businesses and hauliers in the area, ahead of implementation by October 2026.