A briefing is being held for councillors on the closure of the first Severn Bridge to heavy goods vehicles later this week.

The M48 Severn Bridge, from Chepstow to Aust, is to have a weight limit imposed from Tuesday 27 May, meaning heavy goods vehicles over 7.5-tonnes will have to use the second Severn crossing, the M4 Prince of Wales bridge to cross, says Nation Cymru.

When National Highways announced the precautionary measure to protect the near 60-year-old bridge as its suspension cables require strengthening, there was anger from local councillors. The chief executive of Monmouthshire County Council, Paul Matthews, also said, on social media, he hadn’t been given advanced notice of the decision, though National Highways said it had informed local authorities the day before its announcement.

The National Highways briefing for councillors will take place on Friday 9 May.

Local councillors said they wanted to meet with the Westminster government’s transport minister Heidi Alexander to discuss the decision and raised concerns about the impact on local businesses particularly those in the haulage sector.

Further concerns were raised due to ongoing roadworks on the M4 Prince of Wales bridge and an emergency closure on 1 May.

Councillor Richard John, the leader of Monmouthshire’s Conservative opposition group, said closure of the M4 bridge when the first crossing isn’t available to heavy goods traffic will cause additional expense for firms.

He said: “Once the M48 bridge is closed to HGVs later this month they will face a 100 mile detour via the M50 and M5. This will raise costs for hauliers and ultimately cost jobs.”

(Pic: National Highways)