Severn Bridge Operations
Case reference EIR2024/01724
Received 9 December 2024
Published 14 March 2025
Request
I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding operational decisions affecting the Severn Bridge. Specifically, I seek clarification and details on the following:
1. The reasoning and evidence of incidents behind the decision to no longer filter off high-sided vehicles during adverse weather conditions. As I believe the reasons quoted on your website suggest negligence and cause more harm than save and affect thousands of journeys.
2. The policy or operational guidelines that inform decisions to close or restrict access to the Severn Bridge, including changes implemented in recent years.
3. Any risk assessments, studies, or reviews conducted to support this change in practice regarding high- sided vehicles and overall bridge closures.
4. Communication or consultation records with stakeholders (including transport organisations and safety bodies) about this change in protocol.
Response
The following 8 PDF'S can be downloaded from this link EIR2024 01724.
Personal information has been withheld under Regulation 13 of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
1. The reasoning and evidence of incidents behind the decision to no longer filter off high-sided vehicles during adverse weather conditions. As I believe the reasons quoted on your website suggest negligence and cause more harm than save and affect thousands of journeys.
· Q1 High Wind Traffic Management Report
· Q1 and Q2 M48 trial report
· Q3 and Q1 M48 High winds Management Redacted
· Q1 Filtering Safety Reports 2016 -18 Redacted
2. The policy or operational guidelines that inform decisions to close or restrict access to the Severn Bridge, including changes implemented in recent years.
· Q2 TO activities M48 high winds
· Q1 and Q2 M48 trial report
3. Any risk assessments, studies, or reviews conducted to support this change in practice regarding high- sided vehicles and overall bridge closures.
· Q3 From source Baker and_Soper Calculation of the overturning wind speed of large road vehicles ICEproceedings
· Q3 M48 to 50 Proposal Redacted
· Q3 Risk assessment - M48 Severn Bridge - High winds traffic management v1.1 Redacted
· Q3 and Q1 M48 High winds Management Redacted
4. Communication or consultation records with stakeholders (including transport organisations and safety bodies) about this change in protocol.
A copy of all communication and consultation with stakeholders is available on this webpage https://nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-updates/the-severn-bridges/
Documents
This is National Highways' response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
You can browse our other responses or make a new FOI request.