NATIONAL Highways are issuing a resurfacing trial on the M48 Severn Bridge this August.

A contraflow system will be in place from 8pm on August 8 until 8pm on September 18 with a single narrow lane running in each direction following a 30mph speed limit.

To set up the contraflow there will be a mixture of overnight closures, lane closures and 24-hour weekend closures.

During the full closures, there will be signed diversion routes in place via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.

The following closures are:

Saturday August 1 – 8pm-6am

A full overnight closure of westbound carriageway and lane two closure eastbound. Westbound diversion via M4 Prince of Wales bridge.

Sunday August 2 – 6am until 8pm

Daytime westbound lane two closure. 30mph limit in place. Full overnight closure of eastbound carriageway and lane two closure westbound. Eastbound diversion via M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.

Monday August 3 to Thursday August 6 – 6am until 8pm.

Daytime eastbound and westbound lane two closure. 30mph limit in place. Full overnight closure of westbound carriageway and lane two closure eastbound. Westbound diversion via M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.

Friday August 7 6am until 8pm

Daytime eastbound and westbound lane two closure. 30mph limit in place.

From 8pm on Friday August 7 until 8pm Saturday August 8, inclusive 24/7 there will be a closure of westbound and eastbound carriageways and a diversion via M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.

The structure of the original bridge in the 1960s included a 35mm surface which was laid out by hand, so as part of this maintenance National Highways are triallig resurfacing a 200-metre section of the bridge westbound to ensure that the new road surfacing can be laid thin enough using a machine. If this trial is successful there will be a full resurfacing of both carriageways in 2027/28.