Essential maintenance work is to be carried out on the M48 Severn Bridge which will help protect the road surface against the winter weather.

Some bridge closures will be needed to safely carry out the work and drivers are advised to allow extra time for journeys while they take place.

National Highways Programme Delivery Manager, Chris Pope, said: “It is important we carry out the resurfacing work now to tackle a number of deteriorating patches on the road as the cold and wintry weather could accelerate the damage and lead to unplanned, emergency repairs.

“The M48 Severn Bridge needs a specialist surfacing material which takes longer to apply than that traditionally used on roads. We will therefore need a number of weekend closures to carry out the necessary work.

“We are grateful to people for their patience while this essential maintenance is carried out.”

Other works will also take place during the closures including inspections of the tower by abseilers from the portal above the road.

The planned closures are as follows: 6am Saturday 30 September until 8pm Sunday 1 October – full closure of the bridge in both directions

6am Saturday 7 October until 8pm Sunday 8 October – westbound carriageway fully closed; one lane of eastbound carriageway shut

6am on Saturday 21 October until 8pm Sunday 22 October - westbound carriageway fully closed; one lane of eastbound carriageway shut

6am Saturday 4 November until 8pm Sunday 5 November – full closure of the bridge in both directions

6am Saturday 11 November until 8pm Sunday 12 November - full closure of the bridge in both directions

Traffic will be diverted via the M4 Prince of Wales bridge.

Further information is available from National Highways by visiting our website at www.trafficengland.com and Twitter updates are also available at @HighwaysSWEST. For urgent real-time assistance, our 24/7 contact centre team is able to provide up-to-the minute information on 0300 123 5000