This order temporarily bans heavy goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes on specified sections of the M48 Severn Bridge, effective May 27th, 2025, for up to 18 months.
The ban addresses the potential for public danger and significant road damage.
Exemptions are in place for emergency vehicles and those with police permission.
The order is based on the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, with consideration given to alternative routes.
Arguments For
Protecting Public Safety and Infrastructure: The order prioritizes public safety by temporarily restricting heavy goods vehicles to mitigate risks of accidents and serious road damage. The order cites a likelihood of danger and damage as justification.
Mitigating Potential Damage: Preventing heavy vehicles from using the bridge during a period of potential risk helps avoid significant damage to that infrastructure requiring extensive (and costly) repairs. This prevents further disruption and related economic costs.
Legal Basis: The order is made under the powers conferred by the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, providing a clear legal framework.
Alternative Routes: The Secretary of State's consideration of alternative routes shows an attempt to minimize disruption to traffic and commerce.
Arguments Against
Economic Disruption: The temporary ban may disrupt businesses that rely on the M48, leading to delays, increased transport costs, and potential loss of revenue. This needs careful planning to minimize the effect.
Limited Scope and Duration: The order's focus on only specific sections of the motorway and for a set time is a limitation for comprehensive mitigation and longer-term solution.
Implementation Challenges: Enforcement and practical implementation of the restrictions require appropriate signage, communication, and monitoring. The impact on traffic flow should be considered and additional resources might be needed.
Potential for Unintended Consequences: The diversion of heavy goods vehicles onto alternative routes could create congestion and safety problems elsewhere.
The Secretary of State for Transport, being the traffic authority for the Severn Bridge on the M48 motorway and in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 2(1), 2(2)(a), 4(1), 14(1)(b) and 14(4)(a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984¹ (“the Act”), makes the following Order.
In accordance with section 14(1)(b) of the Act, the Secretary of State is satisfied that traffic on the lengths of road specified in this Order should be restricted because of the likelihood of danger to the public, and of serious damage to the road, which is not attributable to works.
The Secretary of State has had regard to the existence of alternative routes suitable for the traffic which will be affected by this Order in accordance with section 14(3) of the Act.
The Secretary of State for Transport, using powers granted by the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, issues this order to restrict traffic on the Severn Bridge.
The order is justified by potential dangers to the public and potential road damage unrelated to maintenance.
Suitable alternative routes have been considered before issuing this order.
This Order may be cited as the M48 Motorway (Severn Bridge) (Temporary Prohibition of Heavy Goods Vehicles) Order 2025 and comes into force on 27th May 2025.
This order is officially titled the 'M48 Motorway (Severn Bridge) (Temporary Prohibition of Heavy Goods Vehicles) Order 2025' and takes effect on May 27th, 2025.
In this Order—
“appointed person” has the meaning given in section 23 of the Severn Bridges Act 1992²;
“goods vehicle” has the meaning given in Schedule 1 to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016³;
“length of carriageway” means—
(a) the westbound carriageway of the M48 from a point 239 metres west of the tip of the nosing of the westbound entry slip road at junction 1 (Aust) to a point 47 metres west of the mechanical joint at the western end of the M48 Severn Bridge; and
(b) the eastbound carriageway of the M48 from a point 47 metres west of the mechanical joint at the western end of the M48 Severn Bridge to a point 239 metres west of the tip of the nosing of the westbound entry slip road at junction 1 (Aust);
“M48” means the M48 motorway;
“maximum gross weight” has the meaning given in Schedule 1 to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016;
“period of danger” means the period starting at 00:01 hours on Tuesday 27th May 2025 and ending when the likelihood of danger has ended or after 18 months, whichever is sooner;
“tip of the nosing” means the first point where an entry slip road joins the carriageway of a motorway or the last point where an exit slip road leaves the carriageway of a motorway.
This section defines key terms used in the order. 'Appointed person' is defined by the Severn Bridges Act 1992; 'goods vehicle' and 'maximum gross weight' are defined by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016.
Specific lengths of the M48's carriageways are detailed, along with definitions for 'M48', 'period of danger' and 'tip of the nosing'.
Subject to article 4, no person may, during the period of danger, cause or permit any goods vehicle, having a maximum gross weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes to enter or proceed in the length of carriageway.
Unless stated otherwise in Article 4, during the defined 'period of danger', no one can allow goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes to drive on the specified sections of the M48 motorway.
Article 3 only applies at such times and to such extent as indicated from time to time by traffic signs, as prescribed under section 64 of the Act.
The restrictions in Article 3 will only be enforced when and where indicated by traffic signage, as regulated under Section 64 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
Article 3 does not apply to a vehicle—
(a) being used for police, ambulance, fire, or rescue authority emergency response purposes;
(b) proceeding at the direction of, or with the permission of, a police constable, traffic officer in uniform, or an appointed person; or
(c) being used for maintenance purposes on the M48 Severn Bridge.
The restrictions don't apply to emergency vehicles (police, ambulance, fire, rescue), vehicles acting under instruction from authorized personnel, or vehicles maintaining the M48 Severn Bridge.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport M Gilmour Senior Civil Servant Department for Transport 20th May 2025
The order is signed by M Gilmour, a Senior Civil Servant in the Department for Transport, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport.
This Order authorises the temporary prohibition of goods vehicles with a maximum gross weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes on specified lengths of the M48 motorway from 27th May 2025 and ending when the period of danger has ended or after 18 months, whichever is sooner.
This explanatory note summarizes that the order temporarily bans heavy goods vehicles (over 7.5 tonnes) on parts of the M48 motorway, starting May 27th, 2025, lasting until the danger is over or for 18 months, whichever is earlier.