
1 
This Order may be cited as the M48 Motorway (Severn Bridge) (Temporary Prohibition of Heavy Goods Vehicles) Order 2025 and comes into force on 27th May 2025.
2 
In this Order—
 “appointed person” has the meaning given in section 23 of the Severn Bridges Act 1992;
 “goods vehicle” has the meaning given in Schedule 1 to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016;
 “length of carriageway” means—
(a) the westbound carriageway of the M48 from a point 239 metres west of the tip of the nosing of the westbound entry slip road at junction 1 (Aust) to a point 47 metres west of the mechanical joint at the western end of the M48 Severn Bridge; and
(b) the eastbound carriageway of the M48 from a point 47 metres west of the mechanical joint at the western end of the M48 Severn Bridge to a point 239 metres west of the tip of the nosing of the westbound entry slip road at junction 1 (Aust);
 “M48” means the M48 motorway;
 “maximum gross weight” has the meaning given in Schedule 1 to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016;
 “period of danger” means the period starting at 00:01 hours on Tuesday 27th May 2025 and ending when the likelihood of danger has ended or after 18 months, whichever is sooner;
 “tip of the nosing” means the first point where an entry slip road joins the carriageway of a motorway or the last point where an exit slip road leaves the carriageway of a motorway.
3 
Subject to article 4, no person may, during the period of danger, cause or permit any goods vehicle, having a maximum gross weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes to enter or proceed in the length of carriageway.
4 
Article 3 only applies at such times and to such extent as indicated from time to time by traffic signs, as prescribed under section 64 of the Act.
5 
Article 3 does not apply to a vehicle—
(a) being used for police, ambulance, fire, or rescue authority emergency response purposes;
(b) proceeding at the direction of, or with the permission of, a police constable, traffic officer in uniform, or an appointed person; or
(c) being used for maintenance purposes on the M48 Severn Bridge.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
M Gilmour
Senior Civil Servant
Department for Transport
20th May 2025