Labour has responded to growing unrest about an upcoming weight restriction on a major transport route, which would impact thousands of vehicles, by agreeing to take action.
The M48 Severn Crossing is set to introduce new weight restrictions for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes from May 27, impacting travel for businesses and drivers all over the country.
The restrictions will be in place for roughly 12to 18 months, with drivers having to face new diverted routes and delays due to the repair works on the bridge.
Due to the bridge being a key route and carrying roughly 32,000 vehicles a day, with 3,270 from HGVs weighing over 7.5 tonnes, the ban would cause huge disruptions.
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The restrictions will force thousands of drivers to take diversions
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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.
"While 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. We will continue to monitor the bridge and ensure it remains safe for users."
The restrictions would also mean that around 10 per cent of traffic will be diverted via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge, causing additional traffic to build up.
In response to the upcoming ban, Labour MP Catherine Fookes for Monmouthshire has urged the Government to put in a controlled flow system to prevent drivers from facing huge disruptions.
The bridge has a weaker structure due to more vehicles crossing it dailyNATIONAL HIGHWAYSSpeaking in the House of Commons, she said: "Industrial estates are desperate to keep using the M48 Severn Bridge, which is going to be closed to lorries for at least 12 months by the end of May.
"They will have to add at least 30 miles to their journey over the border, seriously affecting profitability and growth.
"Will the minister meet with me and Monmouthshire County Council to find a solution, such as controlled flow, so that we do not hold back economic growth in Monmouthshire?"
In response, Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood explained that she was aware that the restrictions would be "disruptive, especially when a key crossing is closed or restricted to traffic".
She agreed to meet the MP to discuss how to minimise the disruptions to drivers, with the hope that the intervention could offer some relief to the drivers impacted.
Greenwood added: "Safety is our number one priority, and the weight restriction is about future proofing the bridge for years to come."
But James Barwis, policy lead at the Road Haulage Association, told GB News that the new weight limits would force drivers to detour via Gloucester, adding "significant time and costs to journeys". He warned: "These detours have economic consequences for our industry and the businesses we serve."
In the past few years, the M48 Severn Bridge has undergone several assessments of its main suspension cables due to concerns about corrosion and strength reduction, which were caused by its exposure to harsh weather conditions and excessive vehicle use.
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The M48 Severn Bridge carried more than 32,000 vehicles daily last yearNATIONAL HIGHWAYSPope added: "We 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 goods vehicles could ultimately see it closed to all traffic. We are acting now to prevent this from happening."
