Drivers have been warned to expect delays today after a popular bridge connecting the South West of England and Wales has been closed due to strong winds.
The M48 Severn Bridge has been forced to shut to all vehicles due to strong winds and rain, which has caused serious problems.
The bridge can be closed by National Highways when gusts of wind exceed 46mph, with drivers now told to use alternative routes.
While there has been no reopening time for the route, motorists have been diverted to use the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
|The bridge gets closed when winds exceed 46mph
A spokesperson for National Highways said: "When we expect gusts above 40 knots, we close the M48 Severn Bridge to all traffic until wind speeds have dropped.
"If wind speeds exceed 70 knots (80mph), both bridges are closed. Traffic can still travel between England and Wales by following a diversion using the M5, M50, A40 and A449."
The M48 has been undergoing serious improvements this year due to its road surface needing repairing, with National Highways introducing a 7.5 tonne weight restriction for Heavy Goods Vehicles in May, which will last for an estimated 12 to 18 months.
The agency shared: "Like any major structure, the bridges need frequent maintenance to keep them in a safe and serviceable condition. Sometimes we need to close a bridge to keep road users and our team safe while we work."
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
|Drivers have been advised to follow a diverted route onto the Prince of Wales Bridge
The agency explained that the road surface on the M48 Severn Bridge is much narrower than a typical motorway, making there less space for officers to carry out maintenance.
"This means that we need to close the Severn Bridge more often than most other motorways," the authority said.
National Highways acknowledged that the closures cause disruption to road users and local communities, with them planning to keep the bridges open as often as they can.
The M48 Severn Bridge carried roughly 32,000 vehicles a day last year, with 3,270 being Heavy Goods Vehicles over 7.5 tonnes
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
|The bridge has been closed in both directions due to strong winds
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 become 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."