The major route will be closed overnight at the end of the monthNews
Robert Dalling and Shannon Brown Reporter
14:23, 23 Apr 2025Updated 15:25, 23 Apr 2025
Drivers have been warned to plan ahead of a series of overnight closures on the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge(Image: SWNS.com)
Motorists using the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge between England and Wales have been advised to plan ahead and allow for extra travel time as the final phase of resurfacing commences.
National Highways has announced that it needs to complete its work to waterproof and resurface 1km of the cable-stayed bridge as part of its long-term maintenance plan.
The necessary work will be carried out via a combination of overnight and lane closures, with a temporary contraflow and reduced speed limit on the bridge to maintain two open lanes in each direction.
The work is set to kick off with some overnight closures at the end of April for preparation and to establish the contraflow for early May.
The contraflow is expected to remain in place until July, weather permitting, with the work projected to be fully completed by autumn.
Westbound overnight closures are required to finish the resurfacing works on the westbound carriageway.
These include a four-night closure from Sunday, April 27 (9pm – 6am) with a diversion via the M48 Severn Bridge.
Narrow lanes and a contraflow will then be installed under overnight closures in preparation for eastbound resurfacing, reports Wales Online.
Full overnight closures are scheduled for Thursday, May 1 ,for two nights, (9pm – 6am) affecting both eastbound and westbound carriageways.
On Tuesday, May 6, both eastbound and westbound carriageways will be closed overnight from 9pm to 6am.
The following night, Wednesday, May 7, will see the same closure for the eastbound carriageway.
A diversion via the M48 Severn Bridge will be in place from 6am on Wednesday, May 7, with a contraflow system and a 40mph limit across the bridge.
HGVs will have access to both running lanes, including the contraflow lane.
National Highways has announced plans to implement a 7.5t weight restriction for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) on the M48 Severn Bridge from May 27, expected to last between 12 to 18 months.
This decision comes after routine surveys revealed that the main bridge cables had “deteriorated and weakened”.
To maintain the bridge’s accessibility for most traffic, the load on these cables needs to be reduced, which currently means removing the heaviest goods vehicles.