1.  This Order may be cited as the M48 Motorway (Severn Bridge) (Temporary Restriction and Prohibition of Traffic) Order 2018 and shall come into force on 27th November 2018.

2.  In this Order-

"the first length of the M48" means-

"the second length of the M48" means the westbound carriageway of the M48 from a point 239 metres west of the tip of the nosing of the westbound entry slip road at M48 Junction 1 to the mechanical joint at the eastern end of the M48 Severn Bridge;

"the slip road" means the westbound entry slip road at M48 Junction 1;

"tip of the nosing" means the first point where an entry slip road joins the carriageway of a motorway or the last point where an exit slip road leaves the carriageway of a motorway;

"the works" means works to remove the toll booths from the toll plaza area, resurfacing and associated maintenance works;

"the works period" means the period starting 20.00 hours on Saturday 1st December 2018 and ending when the said works have been completed;

"a works period" means a period of 10 hours starting at 20.00 hours on Saturday 1st December 2018 and on any subsequent day and ending when the said works have been completed.

3.  Subject to articles 5 and 7 no person shall, during the works period-

(a)drive any motor vehicle at a speed exceeding 50 miles per hour on the second length of the M48 and the slip road;

(b)cause or permit any vehicle with an overall width exceeding 2.5 metres to enter or proceed in any lane other than the left hand lane of the second length of the M48; or

(c)cause or permit any vehicle with an overall width exceeding 3.25 metres to enter or proceed in the second length of the M48.

4.  Subject to articles 5 and 6 no person shall, during a works period, cause or permit any vehicle to enter or proceed in the first length of the M48 and the slip road.

5.  Articles 3 and 4 apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by traffic signs and shall not apply to-

(a)a vehicle being used for police, fire and rescue authority or ambulance purposes; or

(b)anything done at the direction of, or with the permission of, a constable.

6.  The provisions of article 4 shall not apply to a vehicle being used in connection with the said works, for traffic officer purposes or for winter maintenance purposes.

7.  No speed limit imposed by this order applies to vehicles falling within regulation 3(4) of the Road Traffic Exemptions (Special Forces) (Variation and Amendment) Regulation 2011(2) when used in accordance with regulation 3(5) of those Regulations.

8.  During the works, the provisions of The M48 Motorway (Severn Bridge Weight) (Temporary Restriction of Traffic) Order 2017(3) may be suspended in whole or in part.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order authorises the temporary restriction of traffic on the M48 Motorway (Severn Bridge) starting on 1st December 2018 to enable works to take place. Article 3 applies only to the westbound carriageway and imposes a 50 miles per hour speed limit, restricts vehicles over 2.5 metres in width to the left hand lane and prohibits vehicles over 3.25 metres in width from using the Bridge. Article 4 applies to both eastbound and westbound traffic and authorises overnight closures between 8:00pm and 6:00am.