Drivers of heavy goods vehicles have been warned they face "economic consequences" following a new weight restriction being introduced on a major travel route.
It comes after National Highways announced new weight restrictions on the M48 Severn Bridge, which will impact HGV drivers travelling southwest.
The restrictions will see HGVs over 7.5 tonnes banned from using the M48 Severn Bridge, with the rules coming into effect on May 27, lasting between 12 and 18 months.
The need for the ban follows the bridge structure weakening due to the number of HGVs crossing it daily, with National Highways now having to take direct action to protect the nearly 60-year-old bridge.
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The ban for HGVs will be in place for between 12 and 18 monthsNATIONAL HIGHWAYSThe upcoming restrictions have been found to cause serious havoc for HGV drivers who will soon need to follow a lengthy diversion route.
James Barwise, Policy Lead at the Road Haulage Association, told GB News: "The new weight limits are forcing drivers to detour via Gloucester - a 100-mile round trip that adds significant time and costs to journeys.
"These detours have economic consequences for our industry and the businesses we serve."
Drivers of HGVs will be diverted off the M48 to roundabouts at Junctions 1 and 2 and will need to use the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge to cross the Severn Estuary.
The bridge has a weaker structure due to more vehicles crossing it daily
NATIONAL HIGHWAYSTraffic will then need to continue onto the M48 bridge from the entry slip roads, where access can be controlled by traffic signals.
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."
According to the agency, the bridge carried roughly 32,000 vehicles daily in 2024, with more than 10 per cent (3,270) being HGVs.
The agency explained that despite the weight restriction, two lanes on the M48 bridge will remain open to all other vehicles, which should help reduce the load on the cables, which have been found to be deteriorating and "not strong" enough to support the current traffic flows.
Pope added: "We'd like to thank drivers for their support and 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 HGVs could ultimately see it closed to all traffic. We are acting now to prevent this from happening."
National Highways said it will install Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras to help ensure HGV drivers follow the ban.
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The M48 Severn Bridge carried more than 32,000 vehicles daily last yearNATIONAL HIGHWAYSDespite the weight ban, National Highways noted that the M48 Severn Bridge will remain open to all emergency vehicles, scheduled buses, coaches, gritters and recovery vehicles.
The agency shared: "If there is an unplanned closure of the Prince of Wales bridge, HGVs over 7.5 tonnes will need to follow the official diversion route via the M5 and the M50."
