A BUSY motorway bridge 80,000 Brits use every day has shut in both directions during rush hour.
The M48 Severn Bridge has been closed down due to wind speeds of close to 50mph this morning.
It was shut last night after some western areas of Wales were put under a Met Office yellow weather warning for wind.
Traffic can still travel between England and Wales by following a diversion using the M5, M50, A40 and A449.
A spokesperson for National Highways said: “Our number one priority is that everybody stays safe, whether they’re a member of the public or part of our workforce.
“During windy conditions, the Severn Estuary can funnel strong gusts across the bridges, which can be hazardous to traffic.
“This is why we sometimes need to restrict access to the Severn Bridge for the safety of our road users. When this happens, we divert traffic on to the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.
“The M4 Prince of Wales Bridge has barriers which reduce the effects of wind. The older M48 Severn Bridge doesn’t have these barriers.
“When we expect gusts above 40 knots (46mph), we close the M48 Severn Bridge to all traffic until wind speeds have dropped.”
Meanwhile, the newer M4 Prince of Wales Bridge remains open.
Source; National Highways
Why does the M48 Severn Bridge close during windy weather?
During windy conditions, the Severn Estuary can funnel strong gusts across the bridges, which can be hazardous to traffic.
When this happens National Highways sometimes need to restrict access to the Severn Bridge for the safety of our road users.
Traffic is usually diverted on to the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.
The M4 Prince of Wales Bridge has barriers which reduce the effects of wind which the older M48 Severn Bridge doesn’t have.
When does the M48 Severn Bridge for windy weather?
When gusts of above 40 knots (46mph) are expected the M48 Severn Bridge is closed to all traffic until wind speeds have dropped.
If wind speeds exceed 70 knots (80mph), both bridges are closed.
Traffic can still travel between England and Wales by following a diversion using the M5, M50, A40 and A449.
This comes as Brits were warned to brace for fierce gales of up to 60mph and travel chaos today with ferry services already cancelled.
The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings for wind across large parts of the UK.
There is one alert in force over northern England, including Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle and Manchester from 3am util 2pm today.
A small area of southern Scotland is also forecast to be affected.
The Met Office said gusts of up to 65mph could lead to road, rail, air and ferry disruption.
Forecasters said those under the weather warning can expect: “Possibly some bus and train services affected, with some journeys taking longer.
“Delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges likely.
“Some delays to road, rail and air transport are possible.”
The second yellow weather warning covers Liverpool and western Wales.
It began at 3pm yesterday and is due to end at 9am this morning.
Met Office meteorologists forecast winds of up to 55mph across the affected area.
Meanwhile, gales of 65mph could be expected in a few places, particularly along the coast.
