Closures of the M48 Severn Bridge through the summer
What will this look like?
· Saturday 01 August
o (8pm – 6am) – Full overnight closure of westbound carriageway and lane 2 closure eastbound. Westbound diversion via M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.
· Sunday 02 August
o (6am – 8pm) – Daytime westbound lane 2 closure. 30mph limit in place
o (8pm – 6am) – Full overnight closure of eastbound carriageway and lane 2 closure westbound. Eastbound diversion via M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.
· Monday 03 August – Thursday 06 August
o (6am – 8pm) – Daytime eastbound and westbound lane 2 closure. 30mph limit in place
o (8pm – 6am) – Full overnight closure of westbound carriageway and lane 2 closure eastbound. Westbound diversion via M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.
· Friday 07 August (daytime)
o (6am – 8pm) – Daytime eastbound and westbound lane 2 closure. 30mph limit in place
· From 8pm Friday 07 August until 8pm Saturday 08 August, inclusive
o Full 24hour closure of westbound and eastbound carriageways. Diversion via M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.
Contraflow:
· From 8pm Saturday 08 August until 8pm Friday 18 September
o Contraflow in operation. There will be a single narrow 3m wide lane running in each direction on the eastbound carriageway. We will be working on the westbound carriageway. There will be a 30mph limit in place and average speed cameras. In addition, the footpath on the westbound side will be closed. The footpath on the eastbound side will remain open.
Closures to facilitate removal of contraflow:
· From 8pm Friday 18 September until 8pm Saturday 19 September, inclusive
o Full 24hour closure of westbound and eastbound carriageways. Diversion via M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.
· Saturday 19 September
o (8pm – 6am) – Overnight eastbound and westbound lane 2 closure. 30mph limit in place
· Sunday 20 September – Thursday 24 September
o (6am – 8pm) – Daytime eastbound and westbound lane 2 closure. 30mph limit in place
o (8pm – 6am) – Full overnight closure of westbound carriageway and lane 2 closure eastbound. Westbound diversion via M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.
· Friday 25 September
o (midnight – 8pm) – Eastbound and westbound lane 2 closure. 30mph limit in place
o (8pm – 6am) – Full overnight closure of westbound carriageway and lane 2 closure eastbound. Westbound diversion via M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.
· Saturday 26 September
o (midnight – 8pm) – Eastbound lane 2 closure. 30mph limit in place
o (8pm – 6am) – Full overnight closure of eastbound carriageway and lane 2 closure westbound. Eastbound diversion via M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.
· From 6am Sunday 27 September
o contraflow removed and road fully reopened
This was replaced between 1989 and 1991 with the same thickness of material. Any new surfacing needs to be laid at the same thickness of just 35mm, compared to 40mm+ on more modern bridge structures, to ensure weight across the structure is not increased above that for which it was designed.
Once the trial surface has been laid, regular inspections will take place to ensure the surface remains in sound condition. If the trial is successful, National Highways will be fully resurfacing both carriageways in 2027 and 2028.
This planned maintenance work will improve the bridge’s resilience, reduce the risk of future unplanned closures and help future proof the structure for years to come, allowing business to operate effectively, creates employment opportunities and unlocks regional development.
For more information see the National Highways website National Highways – Severn Bridges