M48 Severn Bridge to close at weekends for maintenance work

THE M48 Severn Bridge will be closed completely for three weekends this summer to allow for essential inspections of the cables that support it.

National Highways will start an “essential programme” of cable inspections on the bridge this month to monitor corrosion.

It will be inspecting several sections of the two main suspension cables as part of routine investigations to ensure the bridge remains safe for years to come.

One of the UK’s few parallel strand bridges, there are very small spaces between the wires that form the bridge cable that allow moisture to enter and cause corrosion. The main cables are opened up and inspected every five years.

Carried out in three phases, inspections will be focused on the lower central area of the suspended cable midway along the 988-metrelong main span of the bridge.

Cables are also being checked at the upper levels using two specially designed gantries that will need to be installed using a crane and under a full closure of the bridge.

The inspection works will involve the closure of one lane westbound from June 22, and one eastbound starting from July, with the works lasting for around eight months.

During the period of lane closures, vehicles over 2.9 metres wide will be prohibited from using the M48 Severn Bridge, pictured.

The bridge will also be closed totally over three weekends to enable the lifting of the inspection gantries to a high level on the suspension cable.

The first full closure is planned for the weekend of June 25-26, with motorists being diverted across the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.