Weight restrictions introduced on M48 Severn crossing to ‘future proof’ bridge

Weight restrictions for heavy-goods vehicles will be introduced on the M48 Severn crossing in a bid to future-proof the bridge.

Following safety inspections and to minimise further damage to the bridge, only heavy goods vehicles up to 7.5-tonnes in weight will be able to use the Severn crossing after inspections showed deterioration to the supporting cables.

From Tuesday May 27, 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, ensuring the safety of the bridge and reducing 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, National Highways said.

Chris Pope, programme delivery manager for National Highways, said: “Safety is our number one priority, and this weight restriction is about future-proofing the bridge 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.

“As with all our structures, we will continue to monitor the bridge and ensure it remains safe for users.”

The M48 Severn Bridge carried roughly 32,000 vehicles a day in 2024, 3,270 of which were heavy goods vehicles over 7.5t, meaning around 10 per% of traffic will be diverted via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge once the restrictions are in place.

Since the bridge opened nearly 60 years ago, the size and weight of HGVs have increased significantly due to evolving transport demands, some rising from 22 tonnes to 44 tonnes.

Traffic numbers have also increased over the decades. Since the tolls were removed on the bridge in 2018 there has been a 34% increase in traffic and these changes mean a substantial increase in weight over the bridge, which it was not designed for.

Pope added: “We’d like to thank drivers for their support and must stress that only heavy goods vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes in weight should use the bridge.

“Continued use of the bridge by heavier heavy vehicles could ultimately see it closed to all traffic. We are acting now to prevent this from happening.”

The M48 Severn Bridge will remain open to all emergency vehicles, scheduled buses, coaches, gritters and recovery vehicles.

If there is an unplanned closure of the Prince of Wales Bridge, heavy goods vehicles over 7.5t will need to follow the official diversion route via the M5 and the M50.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (APNR) cameras are being explored to support enforcement of the new weight restriction.