M48 Severn Bridge suspension cable inspections

Latest updates

• 16 March 2023

  Reminder of full bridge closure this weekend

  We'd like to remind everyone that the M48 Severn Bridge will be fully closed this weekend, so that we can remove the remaining inspection gantries from the bridge using a crane.

  The bridge will be fully closed in both directions from 7pm on Friday 17 March to 6am on Monday 20 March. A fully signed diversion route will be in place, but please allow extra time for your journey. 

  We'll then be closing the eastbound carriageway overnight from 7pm on Monday 20 March to 6am Tuesday 21 March, so that we can remove the remaining lane one closure traffic management. From Tuesday 21 March, the bridge will then be open with two lanes running in each direction. 

  Our teams have been working hard this week, despite some wet and windy weather, to lower the remaining gantries from the top sections of the main suspension cable along with all the associated equipment.

  

  Photo: our team on the M48 bridge yesterday morning (15 March) detaching and lowering the remaining inspection gantry equipment from the main cable. 

  You can read the full press release about the end of the inspection works here: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/article/cable-inspections-on-m48-severn-bridge-come-to-an-end/

  For real-time road closure and traffic information in the region over the weekend, please follow us on Twitter @HighwaysSWEST or @2SevernBridges

• 02 March 2023

  Updated closure dates for end of cable inspections

  We’re nearing the end of the cable inspection works and there has been a slight change to the programme for us to remove the remaining cable inspection gantries and traffic management.

   

  We’re always looking at coordinating road closures in our region to minimise disruption to the travelling public, so we've pushed back the full weekend closure to avoid it clashing with other works in the area. We've also been able to minimise the programme and we'll now only need one overnight closure of the eastbound carriageway to remove the lane one traffic management.

   

  The updated closure dates are as follows:

  • Full weekend M48 bridge closure to lower and remove the inspection gantries using a crane:

  • 7pm Friday 17 March to 6am Monday 20 March

  • Eastbound overnight closure to remove the lane one traffic management:

  • 7pm Monday 20 March to 6am Tuesday 21 March

   

  

  Picture: cable during the inspection process

   

  During the overnight eastbound closure we'll be removing the temporary vehicle restraint system, temporary road markings and reinstating the white lining and traffic signage. We'll also be sweeping and inspecting the carriageway and carrying out any maintenance works that are required. On the morning of Tuesday 21 March, the eastbound carriageway will then be returned to two lanes running and this will complete the cable inspection works.

   

  We've got contingencies in place in case for the following weekend, in case we're unable to carry out these closures due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances and we'll always communicate any changes to the programme as soon as possible. Our number one priority is always the safety of all bridge users and our workforce.

   

  We'd like to thank you again for your ongoing patience while we've been completing these essential cable inspection works. They will help us to keep the bridge safe for many years to come and we'll look forward to sharing some details of our findings from this inspection once the full report is finalised. 

  For real-time road closure and traffic information in the region, please follow us on Twitter @HighwaysSWEST or @2Severn Bridges. For all upcoming closures for both bridges, please see our main webpage:  https://nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-updates/the-severn-bridges/

• 13 February 2023

  Progress update and westbound returned to two lanes

  On the morning of Friday 10 February at around 3am, the M48 Severn Bridge on the westbound side (heading into Wales) was returned to two lanes running. We removed all of the lane one closure traffic management under two overnight closures. The lane one closure had been in place to allow us to safely carry out the cable inspections, which have now been completed on this side.

  

  Caption: the M48 Severn Bridge westbound with the lane one closure traffic management removed

  This included the removal of temporary cats' eyes, the whole carriageway was swept and inspected, minor repairs were carried out and the white lining was also renewed. Other works were also carried out by the bridge maintenance team while we had the closures in place. 

  

  Caption: view from the Beachley side span gantry showing 2 lanes open on the westbound carriageway, on the right. 

  Upcoming March closures for remaining inspections

  The final section of cable inspections are due to be completed over the next few weeks. Once these have been completed, the cable protection on the two high level gantry locations on the eastbound side (towards England) will be reinstated. This involves compacting the cable, wrapping it in wire, painting it and then covering in an elastomeric wrap to ensure it is kept dry and protected.

  So that we can safely lower the red high level inspection gantries and remove them from the bridge, we will need a full weekend bridge closure. This will be followed by two overnight eastbound closures to remove the lane one traffic management and return this side to two lanes running.

  These are currently programmed in as follows, subject to weather changes:

  • Full weekend M48 bridge closure to lower and remove inspection gantries using a crane:
    • 7pm Friday 10 March to 7pm Sunday 12 March

  • Eastbound overnight closures to remove the lane one traffic management:
    • Sunday 12 March - 7pm to 6am
    • Monday 13 March - 7pm to 6am

  On the morning of Tuesday 14 March, the eastbound carriageway will be returned to two lanes running and this will complete the cable inspection works.

  We've got contingencies in place in case we're unable to carry out these closures due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances and we'll always communicate any changes to the programme as soon as possible. Our number one priority is always the safety of all bridge users and our workforce. 

  We'd like to thank you again for your ongoing patience while we've been completing these essential cable inspection works. They will help us to keep the bridge safe for many years to come and we'll look forward to sharing some details of our findings from this inspection once the full report is finalised. 

  For real-time road closure and traffic information in the region, please follow us on Twitter @HighwaysSWEST or @2Severn Bridges. For all upcoming closures for both bridges, please see our main webpage: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-updates/the-severn-bridges/

• 03 February 2023

  February overnight closures to remove traffic management

  There are some upcoming overnight closures of the M48 Severn Bridge next week, as we begin to remove the traffic management we’ve had in place for the cable inspection works. We'll also be carrying out some routine maintenance works, which helps to keep the bridge safe for all road users.

  The overnight closures next week are currently programmed in as follows, subject to weather changes:

  Maintenance closures:

  • Monday 6 February – M48 closed overnight eastbound between 7pm and 6am for routine maintenance works, including barrier and pothole repairs
  • Tuesday 7 February – M48 closed overnight eastbound between 7pm and 6am for routine maintenance works, including barrier and pothole repairs

  Cable inspection closures:

  • Wednesday 8 February – M48 closed overnight westbound between 7pm and 6am for removal of the lane 1 closure traffic management for the cable inspections
  • Thursday 9 February - M48 closed overnight westbound between 7pm and 6am for removal of the lane 1 closure traffic management for the cable inspections

  When the M48 bridge re-opens at 6am on Friday 10 February, there will be 2 lanes open again as normal on the westbound carriageway, as we will have completed the cable inspections on this side of the bridge.

  

  As detailed in the last update on 20 January, we'll have a further full weekend bridge closure in March so that we can remove the remaining scaffolding and gantries, which requires the use of a crane. There will then be some overnight closures of the eastbound carriageway so we can remove all of the lane 1 traffic management and return it to 2 lanes running.

  You can get up to date closure information for both Severn Bridges where they are published in advance here: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-updates/the-severn-bridges/

  There are some upcoming M4 Prince of Wales bridge closures which are also detailed on the webpage

  Please keep an eye on this webpage for updates and thanks for your continued patience while we’re carrying out these essential works.

• 20 January 2023

  Updated programme of works as cable inspections come to an end

  The M48 Severn Bridge cable inspection works are now coming to an end and we'd like to let you know about some changes to our programme of works. 

  As a result of the significant amount of inclement weather we’ve experienced in the last month, this has understandably meant some delays to the completion of our inspections and removal of lane closures and traffic management.

  As a result of the delays, we require the remaining  closures that will allow us to complete the cable inspection works:

  • Programmed for the first week of February - overnight westbound carriageway closures to remove the scaffolding and then the traffic management for the westbound lane closure
  • Programmed for the weekend of the 3 to 6 March - weekend closure for the end of works and removal of gantries and other associated equipment using a crane. 
  • Under two overnight closures from the 6 to 8 March we’ll then remove the remaining traffic management for the eastbound lane closure.

  These dates are subject to change, due to a number of factors including the weather. We have contingency dates in place in the event that the programme were to be impacted by these factors.

  We understand that these delays will cause some frustration, but we must always prioritise the safety of the travelling public and our workforce. Due to the exposed nature of working on the M48 Severn Bridge, our teams cannot carry out their inspections during high winds or in the particularly cold weather that we experienced in December where ice was forming on the cables.

  We will keep working to keep any delays to a minimum whilst also ensuring the works are delivered in a safe and thorough manner.

  You can get up to date closure information for both Severn Bridges on our dedicated webpage here, where they are published in advance: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-updates/the-severn-bridges/

  If you would like more information about this work, please contact the National Highways Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 open 24/7, who will direct your enquiry to the most appropriate person, or email: info@highwaysengland.co.uk

• 01 December 2022

  Cable inspections progress update

  We have now completed 5 out of the 8 separate inspection panels on the M48 Severn Bridge - 2 at a high level using the red inspection gantries and 3 at a low level using scaffolding platforms. Inspection panel 6 is currently in progress and we'll be starting the final 2 inspection panels shortly.

  During the months of July and October, we had some adverse weather to contend with, which has resulted in some delays to our programme. We were due to have a full weekend bridge closure in November to remove the lane one closure on the eastbound side, but this is being pushed back to January 2023.

  

  Caption: a section of the cable wrap is removed and the circumference of the wires is measured before the inspection starts

  Work will continue to take place on both the eastbound and westbound cables from now until the completion of works, with the lane one closures staying in place over Christmas.

  To read more about the progress we've made, see photos of the inspection process and view planned closure dates for January 2023, see our latest newsletter

• 29 June 2022

  Second weekend closure for M48 Severn Bridge

  The M48 Severn Bridge is going to be fully closed again this weekend. Unfortunately, weather conditions last weekend meant our teams couldn’t complete all the necessary works to lift the high level gantries into place on the support trestles, as it wouldn’t have been safe to do so.

  The team did however make some good progress, including the installation of gantry support trestles and temporary barriers on the westbound carriageway, removal of redundant electrical cables on the suspension cable at areas critical to the project and removal of lighting columns in close proximity to the gantry access platforms.

  The M48 Severn Bridge will be fully closed from 7pm on Friday 1 July right through to 6am on Monday 4 July – weather conditions depending – to enable the lifting of the inspection gantry to a high level on the suspension cable.

  For the duration of the weekend closure, diversion routes will be in place across the M4 Second Severn Crossing. The westbound footway and cycle path will remain open during the closure.

  

  Caption: National Highways’ essential maintenance will see cables opened up for inspection

  The current programme of closures on the M48 Severn Bridge for cable inspection works are detailed below:

  

  If we're planning to close either of bridges or we've got  maintenance work going on, you'll always be able to view our 7-day forward look here: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-updates/the-severn-bridges/

• 22 June 2022

  M48 Severn Bridge set for weekend closure

  The M48 Severn Bridge will be closed to all traffic this weekend (25 and 26 June) for the first stage of works to inspect the suspension cable and monitor corrosion.

  The bridge will be closed from 7pm on Friday 24 June to 6am on Monday 27 June – weather conditions depending – to enable the lifting of an inspection gantry to a high level on the suspension cable.

  While the bridge is closed, the eastbound side cycle and pedestrian path will remain open at all times. We may need to ask path users to wait for a few minutes at certain times over the weekend for safety reasons, so we thank you in advance for your patience.

  Chris Pope, Project Manager for National Highways, said: “The inspections are vital to allow us to understand the current condition of the suspension cables and confirm that the measures that we implemented over the last 15 years have been effective in ensuring the long-term viability of the bridge and the safety of its users.

  “We have been working in conjunction with our contractor Amey, and the weekend closures have been planned to avoid any major events both sides of the bridge.

  “Agreed diversion routes are in place and we are not envisaging a major impact on our road users.”

  

  Caption: National Highways’ essential maintenance will see cables opened up for inspection

  To carry out these cable inspections and to ensure the safety of both the public and workforce, long-term lane closures will be put in place, with the westbound closure put in place this week.

  The inspection works will involve the closure of one lane westbound from the 22 June 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, and 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.   

  To minimise any future disruption, maintenance work will also be undertaken during the closures, including refurbishment and maintenance of many bridge expansion joints, carriageway surfacing repairs, reinstatement of some under bridge gantry bogies and wheels, sweeping and litter picking, blasting and painting of parapets and lighting column bases, weld repairs, carriageway inspections, and gulley and drain cleaning. 

  For the duration of the weekend closure, diversion routes will be in place across the M4 Second Severn Crossing.

  Chris added: “We understand this work may cause some inconvenience and disruption, but we are making every effort to ensure the impact on drivers is kept to a minimum.

  “This will help us to keep the bridge safe to use for the long-term future.”