THIS IS HOW THEY BUILT THE BRIDGE

THE Second Severn Crossing – it’s a gateway into Wales and an iconic structure that thousands of motorists use every single day. And this week it’s not been far from the headlines. Last week it was announced that it is going to be renamed the Prince of Wales Bridge.

The renaming of the crossing, due to take place later this year, will mark Prince Charles’ 70th birthday year, while it is also 60 years since he became the Prince of Wales.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns made the announcement, which was swiftly met with criticism and opposition over a name change without a public consultation. With the name change

coming more than 20 years after the bridge opened, we decided to delve into our archives and dig out some rarely seen images of what the bridge looked like while under construction and in its early years.

The name change comes ahead of the final abolition of the Severn tolls later this year following the return of the infrastructure to public ownership.

The Second Severn Crossing was inaugurated by Prince Charles in 1996 and he is due to attend the renaming ceremony, 22 years on.

At the beginning of this year, the tolls were reduced after the abolition of VAT on the charges as the crossings returned to public ownership, with Highways England, a UK-Government owned body, taking over responsibility for the bridges’ operation and management from Severn River Crossing PLC.