Future Roads minister Lilian Greenwood has agreed to attend a meeting to discuss the controversial decision to ban HGVs from using the Severn Bridge for at least a year and a half.

Monmouthshire’s Catherine Fookes MP (Labour) addressed the House of Commons on Thursday and told the House that “Businesses on the Newhouse and Bulwark industrial estates in Chepstow are desperate to keep using the M48 Severn bridge, which will be closed to lorries for at least 12 months. By the end of May, they will have to add at least 30 miles to their journey over the border, seriously affecting profitability and growth. Will the Minister meet me and Monmouthshire county council to find a solution, such as controlled flow, so that we do not hold back economic growth in Monmouthshire?”

Minister Greenwood responded: “Safety is our No. 1 priority, and the weight restriction is about future-proofing the bridge for years to come, but I know how disruptive it is when a key crossing is closed or restricted to traffic. I would be happy to meet my honourable Friend.”

The haulage industry had said that the decision to ban heavy goods vehicles from the M48 Severn Bridge could be “devastating” for their businesses. The ban will come into force for at least 18 months from 27 May after National Highways discovered the cables supporting the structure are deteriorating, as reported in Highways News in April.

A director of an Avonmouth-based haulage company warned the alternative route into Wales via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge is not always reliable, and drivers could be forced to take lengthy detours around Gloucester.

National Highways said it has “no choice” but to impose weight limits in the interest of public safety, and that it was looking for a long-term solution to allow HGVs to return “in a controlled manner”.

It is currently proposing a “technological solution” that will manage the flow of HGVs over the bridge to prevent overloading.

(Pic: Paul Nicholas)