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Severn bridges

Severn bridges

Live closures and incidents on the two bridges between England and Wales: the M48 Severn Bridge and the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge, with Met Office wind warnings.

1 restriction or incident on the Severn bridges now, no full closure

Covers the M48 and the M4 between junctions 20 and 23A. Checked at 14:16, from official sources.

Now 1

Planned closures 2

Wind and the M48 Severn Bridge

The older M48 Severn Bridge has no wind barriers, so it is the one that closes. The M4 Prince of Wales Bridge has barriers that reduce the effect of the wind, and takes the diverted traffic.

Wind (gusts)What happens on the M48 Severn Bridge
30 knots40mph speed limit
35 knotsLeeward lanes closed with red X signs
40 knots (46mph)Bridge closed to all traffic
70 knots (80mph)Both bridges closed

If both bridges are closed, traffic can still travel between England and Wales on a diversion using the M5, M50, A40 and A449.

Tolls

There are no tolls on either bridge: they were removed in 2018.

Questions

Is the Severn Bridge closed today?
No full closure is reported on the M48 Severn Bridge right now.
Why does the Severn Bridge close in high winds?
The M48 Severn Bridge has no wind barriers. It closes to all traffic when gusts are expected to exceed 40 knots (46mph), and both bridges close above 70 knots (80mph).
Do you have to pay to cross the Severn bridges?
No. The tolls were removed in 2018.

See also

Sources

  1. The Severn Bridges· National Highways
  2. M48 Severn Bridge weight restriction· National Highways

Facts checked on .