Heavy vehicles to be stopped from using Severn Bridge

From 27 May vehicles over 7.5-tonnes must use 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 7.5t using the bridge.

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.

“Whist 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.”

National Highways said that since the bridge opened nearly 60 years ago, the size and weight of HGVs have increased significantly, some rising from 22 tonnes to 44 tonnes.

Traffic numbers have also increased. 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.

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

Pope added that continued use of the bridge by HGVs could result in it closing to all traffic.

The 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, HGVs must follow the official diversion route via the M5 and the M50.

APNR cameras are being explored to support enforcement of the new weight restriction.