Major motorway bridge used by thousands of drivers everyday to CLOSE in days – is your route affected?
A MAJOR motorway bridge used by thousands of drivers everyday will close in just days.
The popular passage is undergoing urgent maintenance and road users have been warned to plan their journeys.
Advertisement
2
The Prince of Wales Bridge will be shut in a few days
Credit: Getty
2
National Highways announced from April 27 there will be a slew of lane closures
Credit: Alamy
The Prince of
Wales
Bridge, connecting
England
and
Wales
, is used by thousands every day moving traffic from the Bristol area into Newport and vice versa.
The road will be re-surfaced in a few days, requiring both overnight and lane closures.
On April 27, the road will be closed for four nights from 9pm to 6am westbound.
Drivers have been told to divert their journey via the M48 Severn Bridge.
Advertisement
Read more
There will also be full overnight closures on May 1, 6, and 7 from 9pm until 6am.
For heavy goods vehicles there will be a 7.5t weight restriction from May 27 for 12 to 18 months, so HGV drivers have been warned to take alternative routes.
This weight restriction doesn't include emergency vehicles, gritters, recovery vehicles, buses and coaches.
National Highways has been repairing the bridge since last year and said it needs to complete the renovations by waterproofing and resurfacing 1km of the cable stay bridge.
Advertisement
Most read in Motors
Exclusive
Latest
Motorists have been warned that travelling may take longer than expected and to prepare for delays.
There will be a temporary contraflow and reduced speed limit on the bridge during maintenance
periods
.
Tower Bridge CLOSED as person climbs up iconic landmark & sits on suspension railings
This is weather-dependent and National Highways are hoping to have the work fully completed by July.
Maintenance also included Inspecting the concrete bridge deck , replacing bridge joints , replacing drainage covers , and maintaining the facilities in the towers.
Advertisement
The road management organisation said last year: "We started a scheme of works to re-waterproof and resurface 1km of the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge earlier this year.
"This was the first major resurfacing and re-waterproofing since the M4 bridge opened in 1996 and essential for the long-term operation of the bridge.
"We've also taken the opportunity to carry out other maintenance work."
This comes after the Prince of Wales Bridge was closed yesterday evening after a serious road traffic accident just before 6.20pm.
Advertisement
Disruption affected traffic in both directions from junction 22 on the M49 to junction 23 on the M48.
The road was closed in both directions with commuters heading home severely affected.
Images from live cameras showed traffic brought to a complete standstill for frustrated motorists.
Multiple emergency services are at the scene, including police from both sides of the border and ambulances.
Advertisement
Diversions via the M48 Severn Bridge.
Westbound (towards Wales):
If the Prince of Wales Bridge (M4) is shut, exit the M4 at Junction 21 and join the M48.
Follow the signs for the M48 Severn Bridge, which will take you across to Wales.
Rejoin the M4 at Junction 23 after crossing the bridge.
Eastbound (towards England):
If travelling eastbound and the Prince of Wales Bridge is closed, exit the M4 at Junction 23 and follow the signs for the M48.
Cross the M48 Severn Bridge, then rejoin the M4 at Junction 21.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Huge carmaker ‘may sell iconic luxury motor brand' as sales dive and new CEO takes charge
ONE of the world's largest car manufacturers looks set to sell an iconic sports car brand as sales plummet. Discussions over the future of Maserati remain ongoing as industry giant Stellantis prepares to welcome its new CEO in the coming days. Advertisement 5 Discussions over the future of Maserati remain ongoing Credit: Alamy 5 Stellantis could be forced to sell the luxury car brand Credit: Reuters 5 Last year, the number of Maserati units sold plunged from 26,600 to just 11,300 Credit: Alamy The French-Italian company could be forced to sell the luxury car brand on the back of poor sales over the past year. New CEO Antonio Filosa - who starts on Monday after being appointed last month - faces huge financial decisions as a result of President Trump's brutal trade tariffs. Stellantis - which owns 14 brands across the globe - was McKinsey was called in April this year to advise on struggling brands Maserati and Alfa Romeo, with both experiencing a dire 2024. Advertisement Read more in Motors Last year, the number of Maserati units sold plunged from 26,600 to just 11,300. Stellanis told : "McKinsey has been asked to provide its considerations regarding the recently announced U.S. tariffs for Alfa Romeo and Maserati." Trump's new legislation means tariffs of at least 25 percent on anything imported into the US. Maserati has no new model launches scheduled as it waits for a new business plan , with the last one having been put on hold by Stellantis in 2024. Advertisement Most read in Motors The plan is expected to be presented soon after Filosa starts his new role. But as things stand, it is understood that all options remain on the table for the world-renowned Italian brand. It came after the global firm pulled the plug on a £1.3billion investment in Maserati earlier this year. Advertisement WHO ARE STELLANTIS? The EV, which translates to 'lightning' in Italian, was intended to be the brand's electric alternative to the stunning MC20 sports car. It promised a power output and performance characteristics similar to the existing V6-engined MC20 . The Folgore was set to be one of six Maserati EVs set for launch over the next year or so. But Stellantis chief financial officer Doug Ostermann said they had pulled the plug on Maserati projects, claiming they wanted to review the pace in which sports car owners move over to EVs. Advertisement He said: "We have to recognise the dynamics in that business, particularly in the Chinese market, and our expectations in terms of how quickly that luxury market would transition to electrification." What is Stellantis? Stellantis is the company behind iconic motor brands such as Fiat, Vauxhall and Peugot. The conglomerate, which is the second-largest maker of cars in Europe, owns 14 badges, including Chrysler, Citroen, Jeep and Maserati. The company itself is the product of a merger between Fiat-Chrysler and France's PSA, the maker of Peugeot and Citroen, in 2021. But the motoring giant has encountered increasingly stuttering financial success. And an initial manufacturing break at Stellantis has now been extended as bosses report a collapse in demand for electric cars . Other projects, including EV replacements for the Levante and Quattroporte models , are in danger of being cancelled too. The vehicles were set to be released in 2027 and 2028 respectively. It is understood the three models would have been Maserati's electric line-up as the firm looked to adapt to the EV revolution. Advertisement Before he left the firm last year, Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares claimed the low sales at Maserati were due to advertising issues. He told Top Gear: "Maserati is in the red. The reason is marketing. "The Maserati brand is not clearly positioned and the storytelling is not how it should be. "The brand is not just about sports cars, it's about gran turismo, it's about quality of life, dolce vita and technology." Advertisement 5 Former Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares said the low sales at Maserati were due to advertising issues Credit: Alamy 5 Maserati has no new model launches scheduled as it waits for a new business plan Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
18 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Iconic compact convertible hinted at return after 20 years away – and could compete with the Mazda MX-5
AN ICONIC convertible could be returning to the road - some 20 years after it was discontinued. Better yet, the compact roadster might produce some fair competition for the world's most popular little convertible, the Mazda MX-5. 6 Smart's iconic Roadster could return, 20 years after its discontinuation, to take on the Mazda MX-5 Credit: Getty 6 The compact convertible was once championed by F1 legend Gordon Murray Credit: Getty 6 Over 43,000 units of the Roadster were produced between 2003 and 2005 Credit: AFP 6 The brand is currently focussed on two models set for release in the near future Credit: Alamy According to Auto Express, Smart has left the door open for the return of the Smart Roadster - with the brand preparing a successor for its famous ForTwo city car. Indeed, back in March, we reported on how the much-loved ForTwo - the quintessential 'park anywhere' city car of the noughties - That could spell good news for the Roadster model too, a two-door, two-seater convertible that was Smart's sports car offering at the time. Introduced back in 2003, it was widely respected for its balanced mid-engined layout - with iconic F1 designer Gordon Murray a famous fan who used the Roadster as his daily driver. Read more Motors News The model was ultimately discontinued in November 2005, with just over 43,000 units produced. In a recent interview, Smart UK CEO Jason Allbutt talked fondly about the Roadster, saying: 'We used to have one of those in the family, and [it was] particularly good fun. 'For a country that has more rain than probably any other European market, we are lovers of coupés and roadsters. 'So yes, I could see a possibility for such a car in the UK.' Most read in Motors Allbutt did however reiterate that nothing is concrete and that the brand currently focussed on the launch of its biggest model yet - the all-new Smart #5 SUV - with an electric family hatchback called Smart #6 to follow. ELECTRIC FEEL As the industry continues to transition into electric power , several marques are lining up all-electric sports cars to replace their ICE counterparts. New Nissan Leaf tested - it's bigger, better and goes further An electric version of the universally acclaimed Alpine A110 is already in the pipeline, while Porsche is rumoured to be lining up some kind of Boxster/Cayman EV. Meanwhile, Lotus are waiting for battery tech to catch up - especially in terms of weight - before drawing up an exciting electric sequel to the Elise. Even the aforementioned MX-5 is being earmarked for an electric replacement in the coming years. But according to Auto Express, Allbutt appears to have reservations about whether petrolheads are ready to embrace electric convertibles. Smart Roadster history First introduced in 2002 43,091 produced between August 2002 and November 2005 Produced in Hambach, France Created following Smart's "reduce to the max" philosophy Coupe and Roadster introduced in 2002 were designed to be reminiscent of classic British roadsters like the Triumph Spitfire and MG B Roadster was powered by a 45 or 60kW version of the turbocharged 698cc 3-cylinder Suprex engine in the rear Roadster Coupe had the more powerful 60kW option only Car weighed as little as 790kg - creating the emotion of driving a sports car at an affordable cost Awarded Fun Car Of The Year by Top Gear in 2005 He said: 'I think a lot of people that drive these cars historically have been traditional car enthusiasts. 'Part of the joy of having the roof down, in case you have less hair to be ruffled nowadays, is also to hear the sound of the engine. 'Maybe there's a new audience that would be looking at [an electric roadster] in a different way. I'm not quite sure yet as to who the buyers of that car really are. 'It's too early to tell right now, but we'll see.' 6 Smart Roadsters were designed to give drivers the feel of a sports car but at an affordable price Credit: Getty 6 It is thought a new Smart Roadster could compete with the popular Mazda MX-5 Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
21 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Map reveals UK's 10 most stressful junctions including a high-accident intersection & infamous ‘Magic Roundabout'
The UK's most stressful junctions have been ranked and rated - each infamous for causing numerous problems for motorists. 3 London's Hanger Lane Gyratory tops the list as the UK's most stressful junction, with its complex layout and high accident rate Credit: Alamy 3 Swindon's Magic Roundabout is a multi-mini roundabout system that confuses many but surprisingly boasts a strong safety record Credit: Getty 3 Drivers can navigate the Magic Roundabout's central island in an anticlockwise direction, adding to its unique complexity Credit: Alamy These responses were then used to build a unique 'Stress Score' out of 100 - helping reveal the road layouts that most vehicle owners would rather avoid. London's mind-boggling Hanger Lane Gyratory came on top as the most stressful to navigate. The gyratory - which is essentially a large, circular intersection - is located in the north of the Ealing borough in West London and serves as a major junction where the A40 (Western Avenue) and the A406 (North Circular Road) intersect, with the A40 passing underneath in a tunnel. It also connects to Ealing Road towards Wembley. Read more Motors News Outrageously complex, the confusing layout boasts a high accident rate and often causes a bottleneck for traffic At peak times, it's known to take on some 10,000 vehicles per hour - making it not only very busy but also quite intimidating. The infamous Magic Roundabout in Swindon followed closely behind in second place. A multi-mini roundabout system, the roundabout - which gets its name from the popular British children's television show, "The Magic Roundabout" - is made up of five mini roundabouts arranged in a circle around a central island. Most read in Motors Though the mini roundabouts are all driven in a standard clockwise movement, it is possible to navigate the central island in an anticlockwise direction. But despite being wildly confusing, the Magic Roundabout boasts a surprisingly good safety record - with only 14 serious accidents and approximately 100 minor incidents over the last 25 years. Chilling moment thieves steal car with wireless device in seconds as new doc reveals how Brit motors end up in Lithuania UK's top 10 most stressful junctions Hanger Lane Gyratory - London (Stress Score: 44/100) Magic Roundabout - Swindon (Stress Score: 42/100) Cromer Road & Boundary Road Junction - Norwich (Stress Score: 40/100) The Crooked Billet Interchange - Waltham Forest (Stress Score: 38/100) Ynysforgan Roundabout - Swansea (Stress Score: 38/100) Black Cat Roundabout - Bedfordshire (Stress Score: 38/100) Larne Road Roundabout - Ballymena (Stress Score: 36/100) Shalesmoor & Netherthorpe Road Roundabout - Sheffield (Stress Score: 36/100) Springwell Road & Queen Alexandra Road Junction - Sunderland (Stress Score: 35/100) Sheriffhall Roundabout - Edinburgh (Stress Score: 35/100) TRAVELLING PAINS Scrap Car Comparison not only ranked the most stressful junctions in the UK but also created a global leaderboard, ranking some of the world's most anxiety-inducing intersections. For globe-trotting drivers, it might be best to avoid the Meskel Square Roundabout in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which picked up a Stress Score of 56 out of100. Meskel Square lacks basic road markings and formal traffic control, relying instead on driver intuition… and honking. Despite appearances, it's functional for locals but is known for being deeply unnerving for outsiders. The Judge Harry Pregerson Interchange in Los Angeles, a towering 8-level highway structure, came in close behind in second place with a score of 51/100. This score was matched by Paris' Arc de Triomphe roundabout, known for its 12 converging avenues and reversed right-of-way rules. Indeed, Europe features heavily in the rankings - with five of the top ten most stressful junctions located across the continent - with Paris, Rome, Madrid and London all making the list. Matt Clamp, Customer Service Manager at Scrap Car Comparison, said: 'Driving through unfamiliar junctions can rattle even the most experienced motorists. 'Junctions often combine high traffic volumes, poor signage and confusing layouts, making preparation essential. 'Our advice? Start by planning ahead, tools such as Street View or route planners can help you visualise the road before you set off. 'Once you're behind the wheel, try to get into the correct lane early by watching for signs and markings. 'If you start to feel overwhelmed, take a breath and don't let other road users rush you - it's perfectly okay to go at your own pace. 'Always signal clearly and confidently to show your intentions, especially if you need to change lanes. 'And if you're really nervous, consider driving at quieter times of day when the roads are less busy. 'A little preparation can go a long way in turning a potentially stressful drive into a safe and confident journey.' World's top 10 most stressful junctions Meskel Square Roundabout - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Score: 56) Judge Harry Pregerson Interchange - Los Angeles, USA (Score: 51) Arc de Triomphe Roundabout - Paris, France (Score: 51) Newark Airport Interchange - Newark, USA (Score: 48) Place de la Bastille Roundabout - Paris, France (Score: 48) Shibuya Crossing Intersection - Tokyo, Japan (Score: 47) Piazza Venezia Roundabout - Rome, Italy (Score: 45) Plaza de Cibeles Roundabout - Madrid, Spain (Score: 45) I-5/I-8 Interchange - San Diego, USA (Score: 45) Hanger Lane Gyratory - London, England, UK (Score: 44)
