Severn Bridge
Severn Bridge | |
|---|---|
The Severn Bridge seen from Aust Beach, England | |
| Coordinates | 51°36′33″N 02°38′18″W / 51.60917°N 2.63833°W |
| Carries | M48 motorway (4 lanes) National Cycle Route 4 (shared cycle path and footway) |
| Crosses | River Severn River Wye |
| Locale | South West England / South East Wales |
| Maintained by | National Highways |
| Heritage status | Grade I listed |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Suspension bridge |
| Total length | 0.99 mi (1.6 km) |
| Height | 445 ft (136 m) |
| Longest span | 3,240 ft (988 m) |
| Clearance below | 154 ft (47 m) |
| History | |
| Architect | Freeman Fox and Partners in association with Mott, Hay and Anderson, consulting architect Sir Percy Thomas |
| Constructed by | John Howard & Co., Sir William Arrol & Co., Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company and Dorman Long |
| Opened | 8 September 1966 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | Between 17,155 and 17,828 (2003–2008) |
| Toll | Free |
| Location | |
The Severn Bridge (Welsh: Pont Hafren) is a motorway suspension bridge that spans the River Severn between South Gloucestershire in England and Monmouthshire in South East Wales. It is the original Severn road crossing between England and Wales, and took three and a half years to build, at a cost of £8 million. It replaced the 137-year-old Aust Ferry.
The bridge was opened in 1966 by Queen Elizabeth II. For thirty years, the bridge carried the M4 motorway. It was granted Grade I listed status in 1999.
Following the completion of the Second Severn Crossing, the section of motorway from Olveston in England to Magor in Wales was designated the M48.
In addition to carrying the motorway, the bridge has service paths on each side which are open to pedestrians and cyclists. These carry National Cycle Route 4 and EuroVelo cycle routes, as well as hosting a weekly parkrun.