A council says it was not given any prior notice about a new weight limit which has been introduced on a major crossing between Wales and England. Weight restrictions for heavy-goods vehicles will apply on the M48 Severn crossing from May 27, 2025, in a bid to future-proof the nearly 60-year-old suspension bridge.
Monmouthshire council's chief executive, Paul Matthews, expressed frustration over the lack of communication regarding this significant change, stating that it would have been nice to have been informed directly. The new rule will permit only heavy-goods vehicles weighing up to 7.5 tonnes to use the route between Chepstow and Aust, Bristol. This decision means that approximately 10% of the 32,000 vehicles that cross at Chepstow every day will soon need to divert to the Prince of Wales bridge to travel between Wales and England.
The weight restriction is expected to remain in effect for about 12 to 18 months while National Highways develops and implements a medium-term solution. However, the crossing will remain accessible to emergency vehicles, scheduled buses, coaches, gritters, and recovery vehicles.
The announcement has sparked anger among local representatives, particularly following a series of lane closures and restrictions in 2022 and 2023 for an assessment of the main cables, which had been exposed to harsh winter conditions. Councillor Armand Watts, who represents the Bulwark and Thornwell area adjacent to the bridge in Chepstow, criticized the decision-making process, stating, "I want to know why National Highways are carrying out a consultation after the decision? That's not consultation, that's a sham to do consultation retrospectively."
Watts voiced concerns about the impact on local businesses, especially those located at the Newhouse Farm Industrial Estate, which houses a distribution center for supermarket giant Asda, as well as the service station on the English side of the bridge at Aust. He pondered the long-term economic implications for Monmouthshire, questioning whether businesses in Chepstow would consider relocating to areas like Magor or Avonmouth if access became restricted.
He also highlighted worries that traffic heading north or traveling south into Wales would use the A48, exacerbating congestion and pollution in Chepstow. "I'm trying to arrange a meeting with Heidi Alexander [UK government transport minister]," he said.
Conservative councillor Lisa Dymock, whose Portskewett ward includes the Severn Bridge Industrial estate home to about 40 businesses, echoed concerns about the increased costs for smaller haulage firms and manufacturers. She warned of the potential for a 95-mile detour via the M50 if an accident were to close the M4 bridge. "This announcement has come at a difficult time when the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge is routinely subject to significant delays due to resurfacing works, which are due to continue until at least August," she noted.
Richard John, leader of the Conservative opposition group on Monmouthshire council, called for a clear timeline for inspections and repairs. He stated, "We need to see swift intervention from the UK government to secure the long-term future of the bridge so it can continue to safely accommodate the demands of businesses and residents."
National Highways, which manages major roads in England, claimed local authorities were informed one day before the official announcement on April 11, 2025. Chris Pope, programme delivery manager, emphasized the importance of safety, stating, "Safety is our number one priority, and this weight restriction is about future-proofing the bridge for years to come." He explained that the bridge, while currently safe, was not designed to handle today’s heavier traffic loads. Over the past 60 years, the weight of vehicles has increased significantly, putting greater stress on the bridge's cables.
In December 2024, National Highways revealed the results of a thorough assessment of the bridge's main cables, which showed signs of deterioration. This prompted the decision to impose weight restrictions to minimize further damage. The M48 Severn Bridge, which carried approximately 32,000 vehicles daily in 2024, saw about 3,270 of those vehicles exceeding the new 7.5-tonne limit. This means that roughly 10% of traffic will be diverted to the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge once the restrictions take effect.
Since the tolls were removed from the bridge in 2018, traffic has surged by 34%, contributing to the increased load on the structure. National Highways is exploring the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to help enforce the new weight restriction.
The M48 Severn Bridge will remain open to all emergency vehicles, scheduled buses, coaches, gritters, and recovery vehicles, ensuring that essential services can continue to operate without disruption. However, if the Prince of Wales bridge experiences an unplanned closure, heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes will need to follow the official diversion route via the M5 and the M50.
The situation continues to evolve as local officials seek clarity and support from the UK government regarding the future of the bridge and its impact on the community. As discussions unfold, the local council remains committed to advocating for the interests of residents and businesses affected by this significant change.
