Vehicle type banned from one of the UK’s most | Tech News

Certain autos might be banned from travelling on one of the UK’s busiest bridges because of security fears. National Highways has confirmed many Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) is not going to be allowed to make use of the iconic M48 Severn crossing connecting England and Wales. 

Only HGVs weighing up to 7.5-tonnes in weight can use the highway with heavier fashions compelled to make use of the Prince of Wales bridge from May 27. Restrictions come after security inspections of the bridge with the plan to minimise additional injury to the infrastructure. Officials have warned the weight restriction will stay in place for between 12 and 18 months whereas National Highways tackles the situation.

Chris Pope, programme supply supervisor for National Highways, mentioned the bridge was “not designed” for the weight of modern vehicles. 

They said the number of heavy vehicles using the road was “putting greater laid on the cables” which could be a safety concern. 

Chris mentioned: “Safety is our number one priority, and this weight restriction is about future-proofing the bridge for years to come.

“Whilst the bridge remains safe, it was not designed and built for today’s levels or weight of traffic. Vehicles have got heavier and traffic levels have increased significantly over the last 60 years putting greater load on the cables.

Using the estimates, it suggests that well over 11million road users travel across the bridge over one calendar year. 

Chris added: “We’d like to thank drivers for their support and must stress that only heavy goods vehicles up to 7.5tonnes in weight should use the bridge.

“Continued use of the bridge by heavier heavy goods vehicles could ultimately see it closed to all traffic. We are acting now to prevent this from happening.”