Disruption forecast for M48 and M4 bridges this week

The Severn Bridge will be totally closed in one direction this weekend, the Prince of Wales Bridge will close eastbound overnight Monday-Thursday

06:00, 16 Mar 2026

File picture of the Severn Bridge M48(Image: national Highways / X)

The eastbound carriageways of the M48 Severn Bridge will be closed this weekend for maintenance work.

A diversion will be in place via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge. National Highways has advised motorists to plan ahead and allow extra time to travel.

The closure will be in place from 8pm on Friday March 20 until 6am on Monday March 23. During this time, workers will carry out essential maintenance on the bridge's expansion joints.

This weekend's closure is the last of four to occur on the M48 Severn Bridge since February 27.

Meanwhile, this week will also see disruption for motorists travelling east along the M4, also due to essential joint and resurfacing works.

The Prince of Wales Bridge will be closed in an eastbound direction from 9pm and 6am each night from Monday March 16 until Thursday March 19, inclusive.

The M4 will be open as normal during the day.

During the M4 closures, traffic will be diverted via the M48 Severn Bridge.

National Highways said it was carrying out maintenance work on both of the major routes between England and Wales now to avoid disruption over the Easter weekend.

The old Severn Bridge is closed more often than many motorways because it is much narrower than a typical motorway, so there is less space to carry out maintenance.

Works can change at short notice due to inclement weather[1] or other 'operational factors', according to National Highways.

Drivers can view the most up-to-date information on the National Highways website[2].

References

1. ^ weather (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
2. ^ National Highways website (nationalhighways.co.uk)