Bridge closed for emergency repairs

The M4 Prince of Wales Bridge has closed to allow for emergency repairs to lighting infrastructure.

National Highways South West said that 35 faulty lighting columns are currently at risk of collapse and need to be removed as they are "an immediate safety risk."

The announcement follows a day of disruption due to high winds caused by Storm Bram, and National Highways have said that "all work is weather dependent and can only take place once the high winds have subsided".

A diversion route via the M48 Severn Bridge will be in place, along with traffic lights at junctions one and two to allow for HGVs to cross. The bridge will remain closed until 06:00 GMT on Wednesday.

HGVs weighing more than 7.5 tonnes were banned from using the M48 bridge in May of this year as a way to reduce the load due to weakening cables.

National Highways have confirmed that the traffic lights are in place to mitigate this risk.

National Highways has said that once removed, "lighting will remain off during the hours of darkness across the Prince of Wales bridge, with an advisory speed limit of 40mph in place".

Two lanes were closed due to the repairs and heavy congestion has been reported on both sides of the bridge.

Congestion had been reported as far back as J25A for Newport on the Eastbound carriageway and up to J20 Almondsbury Interchange on the Westbound, with severe delays also effecting the M49 and long queues on the A4810.

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.