The number of heavy goods vehicles ignoring the recently imposed weight restriction on the Severn Bridge has been described as “small”.

The body responsible for the suspension bridge that connects Wales and England, via the M48 from Chepstow to Aust, was responding to the latest photograph of a lorry that appears to be over the 7.5 tonne limit crossing it emerged, says Nation Cymru.

National Highways has said it working with police and other bodies to uphold the ban and says it has installed automatic number plate recognition, ANPR, cameras and held a recent enforcement day on the crossing.

Chris Pope, of National Highways, said:

“The numbers of vehicles breaching the ban is a small percentage and we are working with local police, through Operation Wolverine, as well as the DVSA and The Traffic Commissioner to prevent infringements and ensure that HGV drivers flouting the ban are dealt with.

“Operation Wolverine with Gwent Police is running for three months, and ANPR cameras have also now been installed at either end of the structure. We continue to work at pace with Avon and Somerset Police as we transition from physical enforcement to predominately digital via ANPR cameras.”

“There is extensive signage on the approach to the bridge and we have worked hard to raise awareness of the need for the ban including briefing hauliers, Logistics UK and the Road Haulage Association. The weight restrictions are essential to future-proof the bridge and hauliers must observe the signs and take an alternative route if their HGV is over 7.5 tonnes.”

(Pic: Paul Hutton/Highways News)