HGV drivers must be allowed to use the M48 Severn Bridge from the end of this month despite its deteriorating state, or congestion will become “unacceptable”, according to Monmouthshire County Council.
Lorries over 7.5 tonnes will be banned from using the crossing from next week and must rely on the Prince of Wales bridge to travel between England and Wales
National Highways said the weight restriction will remain in place for between 12 to 18 months while further investigations are carried out and while it develops a medium-term solution, which it said would manage in real-time the number of vehicles over that weight using the bridge.
But Monmouthshire council said it had passed a motion expressing concerns over the ban and highlighting the urgent need to address the potential impact on local haulage firms.
Paul Griffiths, deputy leader of Monmouthshire County Council, said there was “deep concern” among the businesses he had met.
“Monmouthshire council is asking for the Welsh government and UK government to work quickly to develop new measures to manage the load on the M48 so that usage by all haulage vehicles can be resumed,” he said.
“The leadership of Monmouthshire Council will be meeting with the Welsh government transport secretary Ken Skates before the end of this month and we will be seeking responses to the needs of all those businesses.
“Their success is crucial to all our futures.”
