Severn Bridge

{{Multiple image|direction=vertical|width=250px|align=left|header=Construction of the Severn Bridge | header_align = center|image1=Construction of the Severn Bridge in 1963 at Beachley.jpg|image2= Aust First Severn Road Bridge under construction geograph-2211841-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|image3= Construction of Severn Bridge.jpg }}

The first proposal for a bridge across the Severn, approximately in the same location as that eventually constructed, was in 1824 by Thomas Telford, who had been asked to advise on how to improve mail coach services between London and Wales. No action was taken, and over the next few decades the railways became the dominant mode of long-distance travel, with the Severn Railway Bridge at Sharpness being opened in 1879 and the main line Severn Tunnel in 1886.{{cite book |last1=Walker |first1=Thomas A. |title=The Severn Tunnel: Its Construction and Difficulties, 1872–1887 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PIhpQtwWFDoC&q=%22F+H+Rich%22+Railway+inspector&pg=PA164 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |access-date=2 February 2015 |date=27 Jun 2013|isbn=9781108063401 }}

The growth of road traffic in the early 20th century led to further calls for improvements, and in the early 1920s Chepstow Urban District Council convened a meeting of neighbouring local authorities to consider a Severn crossing to ease congestion and delays on the A48 passing through the town. In 1935 Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire County Councils jointly promoted a Parliamentary Bill to obtain powers to build the bridge over the estuary, with 75% of costs to be met by the Ministry of Transport from the Road Fund. The bill was rejected by Parliament after opposition from the Great Western Railway Company.{{cite web|url=http://www.iht.org/motorway/m4wales.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=20 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231035742/http://www.iht.org/motorway/m4wales.htm |archive-date=31 December 2008 }}

After the Second World War, plans began to be made for a nationally funded network of trunk roads, including a Severn Bridge, for which the contract was awarded to Mott, Hay and Anderson, with Freeman Fox and Partners. The public inquiry into the scheme was held on 24 September 1946 at Bristol University.{{cite magazine |first=Stuart |last=Bladon |editor-first=Maurice A. |editor-last=Smith |title=Bridge over the River Severn |series=125 |magazine=Autocar |volume=nbr 3681 |pages=474–478 |date=2 September 1966}} Because Government funding was prioritised for the similar Forth Road Bridge (opened in 1964), construction of the Severn Bridge was not started until 1961: the UK government announced in 1962 that construction costs would be recovered by a toll of 2s 6d (£0.125) on all vehicle crossings, though walking or cycling across the bridge would be charge-free. The substructure was completed by contractors John Howard and Co in 1963. The superstructure contract was awarded to Associated Bridge Builders Ltd (a joint venture of Sir William Arrol & Co., Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company and Dorman Long) in 1963, and completed in 1966.{{cite web|url=http://www.iht.org/motorway/m4severn.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=26 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008113930/http://www.iht.org/motorway/m4severn.htm |archive-date=8 October 2007 }}

The bridge has been featured in several promotions.{{cite news |last=Thomas |first=Huw |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-36434647 |title=Singer Amy Wadge performs 262ft above Severn Bridge |publisher=BBC News |access-date=9 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618092635/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-36434647 |archive-date=18 June 2018 |url-status=live }}

In January 1977, it was announced that bridge traffic would be restricted to a single lane in each direction following the discovery of several weaknesses in the ten-year-old structure.{{cite web |url=http://iiw-wg5.cv.titech.ac.jp/case/Other%20cases/SEVERN.htm |work=IIW-XIII-WG5 Repair of fatigue loaded welded structures |title=The Severn Crossing in England, the United Kingdom |publisher=International Institute of Welding |access-date=28 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423080237/http://iiw-wg5.cv.titech.ac.jp/case/Other%20cases/Severn.htm |archive-date=23 April 2009 }} The lane closures would last for several months.{{cite magazine |title=MotorWeek: News flashes |magazine=Motor |page=3 |date=22 January 1977}}

The Severn Bridge crossing was strengthened and resurfaced in the late 1980s as the weight of traffic grew. The work included the strengthening of the Severn Bridge towers and deck, an extension to the Wye Bridge towers and the replacement of the original single stays with two stays. The open structure of the new stays is designed to facilitate maintenance. Most of the strengthening work was inside the deck box and towers and so is not visible. Design of the strengthening was by Flint & Neill.{{cite web | url = http://clearwaterinternational.com/danish-firm-builds-bridges-acquisition-uk-engineers/ | title = Danish Firm Builds Bridges with Acquisition of UK Engineers | date = 1 December 2008 | publisher = Clearwater International | access-date = 4 June 2018 | quote = Consulting and structural engineers Flint & Neill – the company which designed and supervised the strengthening of the Severn Bridge and is currently part of the new Forth Bridge design team – has been acquired by the leading Danish consulting group COWI. | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170410064638/http://clearwaterinternational.com/danish-firm-builds-bridges-acquisition-uk-engineers/ | archive-date = 10 April 2017}} The surfacing is a {{convert|35|mm|in|frac=8|abbr=on}} thick layer of mastic asphalt over an acrylic waterproofing membrane.

During its 40th year of operation in 2006, the bridge was inspected to check for corrosion of the suspension cables. According to the Highways Agency,{{cite web |work=Highways Agency |url=http://www.highways.gov.uk/news/newsroom.aspx?newsid=17715337 |title=Possible restrictions for M48 Severn Bridge |date=29 September 2006 |access-date=5 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181606/http://www.highways.gov.uk/news/newsroom.aspx?newsid=17715337 |archive-date=30 September 2007 }} the inspection concluded that the bridge needed restrictions on heavy goods vehicles.{{cite news |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/5389714.stm |title=HGVs curbed on old Severn Bridge |date=29 September 2006 |access-date=5 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825003012/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/5389714.stm |archive-date=25 August 2017 |url-status=live }} Such vehicles are now restricted to one lane on the bridge, with weight restriction signs in place. A system of rubber casing on the cables with dry air circulation, as used on the Forth Road Bridge, was installed in 2007–2009 in a move to halt the progress of the corrosion.{{cite news |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/6425649.stm |title=Severn Bridge's corrosion problem |date=7 March 2007 |access-date=5 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309133024/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/6425649.stm |archive-date=9 March 2007 |url-status=live }}

The bridge is also home to Severn Bridge parkrun, one of the many free, weekly 5k runs held in both the UK and internationally.

{{Wide image|Severn Bridge from above.jpg|800px|align-cap=center|From left to right: Wye Bridge, Beachley Viaduct, Severn Bridge and Aust Viaduct}}

{{Wide image|Severn and Wye bridges, near Bristol, England arp.jpg|500px|align-cap=center|Wye bridge (left) and Severn bridge (right), seen from the southwest}}

In October 2021, the Welsh Government announced it is considering reclassifying the M48 into an A-road. This is due to lower amounts of traffic on the bridge and M48, following the opening of the Prince of Wales bridge, and the high costs to improve the M48 to motorway standards for the decreased amounts of traffic it handles. Reclassification requires approval from both the Welsh Government and Secretary of State for Wales, with the Department for Transport stating they have no plans to reclassify the M48 in England.{{Cite web|last=Clark|first=Rhodri|date=2021-10-18|title=Severn Bridge could be stripped of its motorway status|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/original-severn-bridge-could-stripped-21888816|access-date=2021-11-11|website=WalesOnline|language=en}}

File:Severn Bridge construction - towers & cables.jpg

Construction started in May 1961; construction of the superstructure started 12 months later. At the time, there was also discussion in Liverpool of a similar suspension bridge over the River Mersey.Liverpool Echo Monday 30 January 1961, page 1 The first construction equipment arrived on the banks of the Severn on Monday 17 April 1961, at Beachley and Aust.Wiltshire Times Friday 21 April 1961, page 5 Equipment of John Howard Ltd would arrive by train at Chepstow railway station, from the Forth Road Bridge site. The same equipment for making the cables on the Forth Road Bridge was brought down to the Severn site.

The bridge parapet, with two miles of railing and 1,200 steel safety barrier posts, was built by Bayliss Jones & Bayliss (BJB), part of GKN, of Cable Street, Wolverhampton. Bayliss Jones also built the parapet for the M2 Medway Viaduct,Wolverhampton Express and Star Wednesday 12 October 1966, page 25 and the M1 Tinsley Viaduct.Wolverhampton Express and Star Thursday 15 December 1966, page 22

Zinc wire was manufactured by Charles Clifford Ltd of Dogpool Mills in Stirchley, Birmingham, for protection of steel fabrications.Birmingham Daily Post Thursday 8 September 1966, page 9 In November 1962, Dorman Long of Middlesbrough received an order for 4,200 tons of galvanised high-tensile steel wire, of 0.196 inches in diameter.The Scotsman Thursday 8 November 1962, page 3 The first cables were constructed in late October 1963.Gloucester Citizen Monday 28 October 1963, pager 6 A walkway across the towers was established by January 1964.Gloucester Citizen Thursday 5 December 1963, page 1Gloucester Citizen Wednesday 8 January 1964, page 6 The main construction of the cable across the Severn began in mid-February 1964. The cables were floodlit in March 1964.Birmingham Mail Wednesday 25 March 1964, page 1 Ernest Marples walked across the cable structure from Gloucestershire to Monmouthshire, on Monday 22 June 1964.Wolverhampton Express and Star Tuesday 23 June 1964, page 12 The cables were complete on Thursday 9 July 1964.Gloucester Citizen Friday 10 July 1964, page 10 It had taken four months, with fifty workmen.

File:Construction of the Severn Bridge from New Passage (geograph 6776021).jpg

The first 130-ton road section was lifted into place on Tuesday 27 October 1964, on the 'Severn Knave' barge.Gloucester Citizen Wednesday 28 October 1964, page 5 There were four barges, Severn Queen, Severn King, Severn Knave and Severn Princess. It was the first time that bridge sections had been floated in the river, and lifted. There were 88 road sections.Gloucester Citizen Monday 19 October 1964, page 6 The final section was lifted into place on Monday 19 July 1965.Western Daily Press Tuesday 20 July 1965, page 3

For the Gloucestershire M4 approach road, a contract of £2,374,140 was given to Costain in August 1963, for four miles of dual carriageway.Gloucester Citizen Wednesday 14 August 1963, page 7 For the Monmouthshire M4 approach road, a contract of £1,677,564 was given to Martin Cowley Ltd of Clay Cross in Derbyshire, in March 1964, for four miles of dual carriageway.Birmingham Daily Post Tuesday 17 March 1964, page 23

Construction of the Wye Bridge started in June 1963.

The Severn Bridge crossing consists of four structures, which, in order from England to Wales, are: the Aust Viaduct, Severn Bridge, Beachley Viaduct and Wye Bridge. In 1998 the Severn Bridge and Aust Viaduct were given Grade I listed status,{{NHLE|desc=Severn Bridge and Aust Viaduct First Severn Crossing

|num=1119760|grade=I|access-date=17 May 2020}} and the Beachley Viaduct (eastern/English end) of the Wye Bridge{{NHLE|desc=Wye Bridge and Beachley Viaduct, First Severn Crossing|num=1119761|grade=II|access-date=17 May 2020}} and the western/Welsh end of the Wye Bridge received Grade II listed status.{{National Historic Assets of Wales|num=19923|desc=Wye Bridge (M48 Viaduct)|grade=II|access-date=17 May 2020}}

The {{convert|514|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} Aust Viaduct is a twin box girder structure with a concrete deck, which carries the roadway from the top of Aust Cliff to the first gravity anchorage of the old Severn Bridge. The roadway is then carried over the top of the concrete anchorage to the Severn Bridge.

File:Severn Bridge near to Beachley-cropped.jpg

The Severn Bridge is located close to the former Aust Ferry. The bridge is a suspension bridge of conventional design, with the deck supported by two main cables slung between two steel towers. In 1966 the cables supporting the bridge deck were spun from {{convert|18000|mi|km|-3}} of wire. The main cables are each made up of 8,322 individual {{convert|5|mm|in|frac=16|abbr=on}} wires.{{cite web|url=http://www.highways.gov.uk/our-road-network/managing-our-roads/operating-our-network/how-we-manage-our-roads/area-teams/area-2/the-severn-bridges/the-severn-crossing-cable-investigations/ |title=The Severn Crossing — Cable Investigations - Highways Agency |access-date=13 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113231823/http://www.highways.gov.uk/our-road-network/managing-our-roads/operating-our-network/how-we-manage-our-roads/area-teams/area-2/the-severn-bridges/the-severn-crossing-cable-investigations/ |archive-date=13 November 2013 }} An unusual feature of the suspension cables carrying the deck is that they are not vertical, as for most suspension bridges, but rather arranged in a zig-zag fashion, with adjacent mounts closely spaced. The triangulation this offers is an attempt to reduce vibration, as is the use of Stockbridge dampers on the cables. The bridge is {{convert|5240|ft|m|abbr=on}} long, consisting of a {{convert|3240|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} central span between the towers and the two {{convert|1000|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} side spans. The towers rise to {{convert|445|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} above mean high water and are of hollow box construction.{{cite web|url=http://www.severnbridge.co.uk/history_sb.shtml |title=History and Statistics - Severn Bridge |access-date=13 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114000010/http://www.severnbridge.co.uk/history_sb.shtml |archive-date=14 November 2013 }} The deck is an orthotropic steel box girder of aerofoil shape with cantilevered cycle tracks and footway supported from the box. The shape of the bridge was determined by the designers Freeman, Fox and Partners following wind tunnel tests for the Forth Road Bridge, after the original wind tunnel model was accidentally destroyed. The sections of the deck were built at Fairfield-Mabey in Chepstow, and each 132 tonne section was then floated down the river before being hoisted into position.{{cite web |title=Severn Bridge |url=http://www.chepstow.co.uk/Chepstow-Town-Council/UserFiles/Files/Severn%20Bridge%20A4%202%20fold%20One%20Doc%206%20Sept%2016.pdf |publisher=Chepstow Council |access-date=21 July 2020}}

File:Severn Bridge - Public Access2cropped.jpg. The Wye Bridge is in the background]]

The {{convert|2444|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} Beachley Viaduct is of a box girder construction similar to that of the Severn Bridge but is supported on steel trestles as it crosses the Beachley peninsula over the British Army camp, Beachley Barracks, that is home to 1st Battalion, The Rifles.{{NHLE|desc=Wye Bridge and Beachley Viaduct, First Severn Crossing|num=1119761|grade=II|access-date=17 May 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/29599.aspx |title=The Rifles - Regimental overview |publisher=British Army |access-date=20 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228025745/http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/29599.aspx |archive-date=28 February 2014 }} In November 2016 the Ministry of Defence announced that the site would close in 2027.{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/565858/20161107_MOD_Better_Defence_Estate_FINAL.pdf|title=A Better Defence Estate|publisher=Ministry of Defence|date=November 2016|access-date=8 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108195030/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/565858/20161107_MOD_Better_Defence_Estate_FINAL.pdf|archive-date=8 November 2016|url-status=live}}

File:Wye Bridge - geograph-3877950-by-Lewis-Clarke.jpg

The Wye Bridge ({{langx|cy|Pont Gwy}}) is a {{convert|1340|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} long cable-stayed bridge, which crosses the border marked by the River Wye between England and Wales, {{convert|2|mi|km}} south of Chepstow. It consists of a single large cable stayed section with two single-leg pylons supporting the bridge deck from the centre of the roadway. The deck is an orthotropic box girder similar to the Severn Bridge but has a different appearance as it has two sets of cable stays on each of two towers. Originally there was only one set of cable stays but these were replaced during the strengthening works. The Wye Bridge was built by Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company.

The toll was collected on the English side, but only for vehicles travelling westwards from England to Wales. This led some people to describe it as a "tax on entering Wales", both in jest and also as a more serious anti-toll campaign.{{cite news |publisher=The Western Mail |date=31 August 2004 |url=http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/tm_objectid=14586893&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=road-toll-activist-calls-on--zeta-name_page.html |title=Road toll activist calls on Zeta |access-date=5 July 2007}}

Originally, tolls were charged in both directions, but the arrangements were changed in the early 1990s to eliminate the need for a set of toll booths for each direction of travel and the potential for traffic waiting to pay the toll backing up onto the bridge itself.

File:Cropped image of Toll booths on the M48 - geograph.org.uk - 237810.jpg

Shortly after the opening of the Severn Bridge, Welsh poet Harri Webb wrote an Ode on the Severn Bridge:{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199899/ldhansrd/vo990217/text/90217-05.htm |title=Lords Hansard Text |work=UK Parliament Publications & Records |date=17 February 1999 |access-date=5 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311144134/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199899/ldhansrd/vo990217/text/90217-05.htm |archive-date=11 March 2007 |url-status=live }}

{{poemquote|Two lands at last connected

Across the waters wide

And all the tolls collected

On the English side}}

In 1966, the toll for using the new motorway crossing was set at 2s 6d (post-decimalisation equivalent £0.125) for all vehicles apart from solo motorcycles which enjoyed a reduced toll of 1s (£0.05). For a small car the bridge toll represented a saving of 7s (£0.35) on the price of the ferry crossing, at that time 9s 6d (£0.475).{{cite magazine |title=News and views: In Brief |magazine=Autocar |page=274 |date=29 July 1966}} By 1989, the toll had reached £2 each way for goods vehicles with an unladen weight over {{convert|1525|kg|abbr=on}} and passenger vehicles adapted to carry more than 16 passengers, and £1 each way for other vehicles.{{cite web |title=The Severn Bridge Tolls Order 1989 |work=Statutory Instrument 1989 No. 1922 |publisher=Office of Public Sector Information |date=28 October 1989 |url=http://opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891922_en_1.htm |access-date=15 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091209144622/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19891922_en_1.htm |archive-date=9 December 2009 |url-status=live }} If the Severn toll had increased in line with general inflation since September 1966, when Queen Elizabeth II opened the bridge, the original value of £0.125 would have reached £2.19 in each direction (or £4.38 as it is just a one-way toll) {{as of|2016|lc=y}}.{{cite web|url=http://inflation.stephenmorley.org/|title=Historical UK inflation rates and calculator|last=Morley|first=Steven|access-date=8 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112049/http://inflation.stephenmorley.org/|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}

In the 2016 United Kingdom budget George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced that toll charges on the Severn crossings would be halved in 2018. The Welsh Liberal Democrats leader Kirsty Williams called the cut "pathetic" and said, "The Chancellor is cynically acting as if he is doing commuters a favour, but the fact is that he wants to keep this unfair tax on entering Wales." The toll was due to be cut to £5.40 in 2017{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-35812565|title=Budget 2016: Severn bridge tolls to be halved|publisher=BBC|date=16 March 2016|access-date=17 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317003412/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-35812565|archive-date=17 March 2016|url-status=live}} but actually increased further.

In July 2017, the Welsh Secretary, Alun Cairns, announced that tolls would be abolished by the end of 2018, claiming that this would boost the South Wales economy by around £100m a year.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/21/severn-crossings-tolls-to-be-scrapped-next-year|title=Severn crossings tolls to be scrapped next year|first=Nicola|last=Slawson|date=21 July 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=21 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219004008/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/21/severn-crossings-tolls-to-be-scrapped-next-year|archive-date=19 February 2018|url-status=live}} In September 2017, Cairns confirmed that tolls would be reduced in January 2018 when VAT is removed. In October 2018 he said that the Severn Bridge tolls would cease on 17 December 2018.{{cite news | title = Severn tolls to be axed earlier than planned on 17 December | work = BBC News Online | date = 2 October 2018 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-45467656 | access-date = 2 October 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181002024442/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-45467656 | archive-date = 2 October 2018 | url-status = live }}

File:Severn Bridge walkway, looking towards Wales arp.jpg

On 17 December 2018, all toll lanes were permanently closed, officially marking the start of a toll-free journey into Wales for the first time since the bridge's construction. During the removal process of the toll booths, traffic was directed through a temporary three-lane layout, directly through the centre of the former toll lanes. These lanes were narrower than usual, resulting in a 50 mph speed limit being enforced. On 25 March 2019, a newly resurfaced road structure was opened, moving traffic flow from the centre of the former toll lanes to the right-hand side, directly next to eastbound traffic. This will allow for further work to remove any remaining toll infrastructure to the left of the new road layout.{{Cite web |url=https://www.severnbridge.co.uk/Home.aspx?.Parent=contact6&FileName=toll-removal-road-works65 |title=Toll Removal (Road Works) - Severn Bridges |access-date=15 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216031439/https://www.severnbridge.co.uk/Home.aspx?.Parent=contact6&FileName=toll-removal-road-works65 |archive-date=16 December 2018 |url-status=live }}

File:Severn Estuary Crossings.svg
the Severn Bridge and the Second Severn Crossing]]

Category 1: passenger vehicles up to 9 seats

Category 2: commercial vehicles up to 3,500 kg and buses up to 17 seats

Category 3: commercial vehicles over 3,500 kg

Ownership and operation of the bridge passed to Severn River Crossing plc on 26 April 1992 as part of the deal to build the Second Severn Crossing.

As of {{As of|2010|11|4|alt=November 2010}}, Severn River Crossing plc was owned

• 35% John Laing, British developer infrastructure operator
• 35% Vinci, French concessions and construction company
• 15% Bank of America, American multinational banking and financial services corporation
• 15% Barclays Capital, British multinational investment bank

The company's 2011 annual report showed the same companies still owned, through subsidiary companies, all the issued ordinary share capital of the Plc.

Ownership of the bridge and the Second Severn Crossing returned to the UK government on 8 January 2018 when the revenue required to build and maintain them, as defined in a Concession Agreement with the Secretary of State for Transport, had been collected.{{cite news | title = Severn Bridge tolls cut for first time | work = BBC News Online | date = 8 January 2018 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-42582523 | access-date = 8 January 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191122004814/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-42582523 | archive-date = 22 November 2019 | url-status = live }} In 2010, the concession was expected to end in 2017. In 2012, changes were made to the agreement to reflect the effect of changes in VAT and Corporation Tax and the costs of installing credit card handling systems. The net effect was to increase the required revenue from £995.83 million to £1,028.91 million in 1989 prices.

File:Severn Bridge plaque - geograph.org.uk - 930373.jpg|Plaque to commemorate the men who lost their lives in building the bridge

File:Monument to the Severn Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 1743473.jpg|Monument showing the architects and constructors etc. of the bridge

File:Civic Trust Award plaque on the Severn Bridge.jpg|The bridge won a Civic Trust Award in 1968

File:Sri Chinmoy Peace Bridge plaque, Aust - geograph-4234747.jpg|The bridge was dedicated to peace as part of the Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossoms programme in 1991{{cite web|title=Peace Blossoms|url=https://www.srichinmoy.org/service/peace-blossoms|website=Sri Chinmoy|access-date=26 August 2017}}

On 6 February 2009, during a week of snowfall throughout Britain, both Severn bridges were closed simultaneously due to ice falling from the bridge structure and damaging vehicles.{{cite news |title=Severn bridge ice falls close M4 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7873359.stm |date=6 February 2009 |work=BBC News Online |access-date=6 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219020041/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7873359.stm |archive-date=19 February 2009 |url-status=live }} On 22 December 2009, both bridges were closed again for the same reason.{{cite news |title=Severn bridges, hit by ice falls, reopen after closures |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/8426267.stm |date=22 December 2009 |work=BBC News Online |access-date=6 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820204358/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/8426267.stm |archive-date=20 August 2017 |url-status=live }}

A privately developed app called Enviroute provides the status of both bridges.{{Cite web|title=Is the bridge open?|url=https://isthebridgeopen.co.uk/|access-date=2020-10-23|website=isthebridgeopen.co.uk|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/17858441.fed-driver-creates-app-telling-severn-bridge-open/|title=Fed up driver creates app telling you if the Severn Bridge is open|website=Gazette Series|language=en|access-date=2019-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828095658/https://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/17858441.fed-driver-creates-app-telling-severn-bridge-open/|archive-date=28 August 2019|url-status=live}} The original Severn Bridge status website, www.severnbridge.co.uk, was decommissioned in December 2018 following the removal of the tolls and the handing back of the first bridge to the UK government.

• List of crossings of the River Severn
• List of crossings of the River Wye
• List of international bridges
• Aust Severn Powerline Crossing

{{Reflist|30em|refs=

{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-41271239 | work = BBC News Online | title = Severn Bridge tolls to be reduced in January 2018 | date = 15 September 2017 | access-date = 7 October 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171022222102/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-41271239 | archive-date = 22 October 2017 | url-status = live }}

{{cite web|url=http://www.severnbridge.co.uk/TollPrices2010.pdf |work=Severn River Crossing Plc |title=Severn Bridge Tolls |access-date=28 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091228220252/http://www.severnbridge.co.uk/TollPrices2010.pdf |archive-date=28 December 2009 |url-status=dead }}

{{cite web|url=http://www.severnbridge.co.uk/TollPrices2011.pdf |work=Severn River Crossing Plc |title=Severn Bridge Tolls |access-date=9 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514204958/http://www.severnbridge.co.uk/TollPrices2011.pdf |archive-date=14 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}

{{cite web |title=Severn Bridge Crossing Toll increase 2013 |url=http://www.severnbridge.co.uk/Tolls%202013.pdf |date=1 November 2012 |access-date=12 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121224003000/http://www.severnbridge.co.uk/Tolls%202013.pdf |archive-date=24 December 2012 }}

{{cite web |title=The Severn Crossings Toll – Welsh Affairs Committee – Examination of Witnesses |work=Minutes of Evidence |publisher=House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee |year=2010 |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmwelaf/506/10110402.htm |access-date=12 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211062930/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmwelaf/506/10110402.htm |archive-date=11 February 2013 |url-status=live }}

{{cite web |title=Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2011 |publisher=Severn River Crossing Plc |date=13 April 2012 |url=http://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/News/NewsFeedItem.aspx?id=200413911481744 |access-date=12 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232716/http://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/News/NewsFeedItem.aspx?id=200413911481744 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=live }}

{{cite news |title=MPs learn Severn Crossing tolls should fall in 2017 |work=BBC News Online |date=4 November 2010 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-11697234 |access-date=12 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123175958/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-11697234 |archive-date=23 November 2010 |url-status=live }}

{{cite web |title=Notice of a meeting of the holders of the £127,500,000 6.125 per cent. index linked debenture stock |publisher=Severn River Crossing Plc |date=13 April 2012 |url=http://www.investegate.co.uk/severn-river-cross-%2850ie%29/rns/notice-of-stockholder-meeting/201204130830052561B/ |access-date=12 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065655/http://www.investegate.co.uk/severn-river-cross-(50ie)/rns/notice-of-stockholder-meeting/201204130830052561B/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live }}

{{cite web |url=http://www.severnbridge.co.uk/legislation.shtml |title=Bridge legislation |publisher=Severn River Crossing Plc |access-date=12 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909091540/http://www.severnbridge.co.uk/legislation.shtml |archive-date=9 September 2012 }}

}}

{{Commons category multi | Severn Bridge | M48 Wye Bridge}}

• {{Structurae|id=20000067|title=Severn Bridge}}
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolavconsole/ukfs_news/hi/bb_rm_fs.stm?news=1&bbram=1&bbwm=1&nol_storyid=5329072 Bridge celebrates 40th birthday] (video), BBC News, 8 September 2006
• [https://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/image_galleries/severnbridge_anniversary2_gallery.shtml Archive pictures of the bridge being built (BBC)]
• [https://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/articles/2005/11/22/pwaod_opening_feature.shtml Video of the Queen opening the bridge in 1966 (BBC)]
• [http://www.cbrd.co.uk/motorway/m48/ Motorway Database: M48]

{{River Severn}}

{{UK suspension bridges}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Bridges across the River Severn

Category:Bridges across the River Wye

Category:Bridges completed in 1966

Category:Bridges in Monmouthshire

Category:Bridges in South Gloucestershire District

Category:Chepstow

Category:Grade I listed bridges

Category:Grade I listed buildings in Gloucestershire

Category:Grade II listed buildings in Gloucestershire

Category:Grade II listed buildings in Monmouthshire

Category:Landmarks in Wales

Category:M4 motorway

Category:Motorway bridges in England

Category:Motorway bridges in Wales

Category:Recipients of Civic Trust Awards

Category:Suspension bridges in Wales

Category:Suspension bridges in England

Category:Former toll bridges in Wales

Category:Former toll bridges in England