HGVs could return to a major travel route and motorway next year after National Highways outlined a plan to scrap the current weight ban.
It comes after National Highways revealed that it will be looking to remove the 7.5 tonne weight restriction on the M48 Severn Bridge, which has been in place since May.
The weight restriction forced thousands of HGVs onto the M4 Prince of Wales bridge, creating longer journeys and sparking frustration among haulage firms.
But the agency has now stated that a new system of traffic signals at Junctions 1 and 2 of the M48 will control lorry movements, ensuring heavy vehicles are spaced out safely.
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The restrictions have caused chaos for thousands of businesses and drivers | PA/NATIONAL HIGHWAYSThe new system, due to be in place by October 2026, has been designed to spread HGVs evenly across the bridge and prevent further damage to its cables.
Alan Feist, Programme Leader at National Highways, said: "Safety is our number one priority. The bridge remains safe, but it was not designed for today's much heavier vehicles.
"We know this restriction has disrupted businesses, so we've been working at pace to find a solution. We're on track to allow HGVs back onto the bridge next year."
The M48 Severn Bridge carries about 32,000 vehicles a day, with 10 per cent of those being HGVs. Since the tolls were scrapped in 2018, overall traffic has surged by a third.
The M48 Severn Bridge carried more than 32,000 vehicles daily last year | NATIONAL HIGHWAYSIn December last year, tests confirmed the bridge's main suspension cables were deteriorating and weaker than expected.
Earlier this year, the agency put an 18-month restriction in place until the new signalling controls were installed.
Mr Feist added: "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."
Since the ban, lorries have been rerouted, which has caused journey times to lengthen and costs to soar for haulage firms already under pressure from rising fuel and wage bills.
At the height of the chaos, police were drafted in to catch drivers ignoring the ban with Operation Wolverine, seeing officers from Gwent Police placed at the bridge, backed up by new ANPR cameras at either end to catch overweight vehicles trying to sneak through.
National Highways confirmed two options had been drawn up. One would have controlled all vehicles with lights at the junctions.
The other would have given lorries their own dedicated lane, allowing cars to flow freely.
At Junction 2 of the M48, signals across the roundabout were also considered. Officials insisted that for "the vast majority of the time", traffic would move freely, with HGVs holding back only briefly to stop them bunching together on the crossing.
The system would also allow lorries to be kept off the bridge entirely if there was a serious crash or incident nearby.
The bridge has been undergoing repair work to help strengthen the original structure
|GETTY
But critics argued that the Government had dragged its feet with the ban and improvements.
The M48, opened in 1966, had been showing signs of strain for years.
Since tolls were scrapped in 2018, traffic soared by 34 per cent, piling more pressure on the suspension cables.
One lorry driver fumed: "We've been left to pick up the pieces. National Highways acted too late, and it’s small firms like mine that pay the price."
Until then, the ban remained in force. Emergency vehicles, buses and coaches were still allowed to cross, but heavy lorries over 7.5 tonnes had to continue using the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge or, in the event of an unplanned closure, a diversion via the M5 and M50.