Hanson complete Severn bridge resurfacing

Company finishes work M4 Prince of Wales Bridge and gets ready to start on M48 Severn Bridge

HANSON have completed the latest phase of their resurfacing work on the Severn bridges following the removal of the toll booths and barriers.

The high-profile contract for Highways England started in December when tolls were abolished on the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge and M48 Severn Bridge, and resurfacing was needed for the new road layout.

The Government’s move to provide free access for drivers from England into Wales is aimed at boosting the Welsh economy.

Over the last few weeks Hanson have laid more than 10,000 tonnes of base, binder and surface course material to complete the remodelling of the westbound side of the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.

The contracting team laid the final 2,200 tonnes overnight in just 12h – more than double the amount usually handled on a regular motorway night shift.

As well as resurfacing the toll booth area, the work has included 950m of the westbound carriageway and a new emergency access road.

Next month (May), the Hanson team will start a similar job on the M48 Severn Bridge; resurfacing the toll booth plaza as well as 1.5km of carriageway on both sides of the bridge.

Hannah Milliner, Severn bridges general manager at Highways England, said: ‘This is a significant project for the region and Hanson have worked collaboratively with Highways England and their contractors to ensure that we deliver these works both safely and to schedule.

‘Hanson have played an important part in making toll removal a success. We are currently reaching the final stages of the scheme and drivers will soon be able to benefit from free-flowing motorways.’