PROLONGED shutdowns of the original Aust-Beachley Severn Bridge have encouraged fears that the under-used facility may face more restrictions or even permanent closure.
Letters to the Review and anxious phone inquiries followed the recent two complete closures to all traffic but the operating company, Severn River Crossings plc, says both operations were entirely in the hands of police.
They had both been because of adverse weather and in the more recent shutdown a van had been blown onto its side.
Closure fears have always existed since the opening of the Second Severn Crossing, but the bridge company, Severn River Crossings plc, says it is contractually obliged to keep both crossings maintained and operating.
"The company has no control over stopping bridge traffic. It is a police matter entirely," said Severn River Crossings general manager Jim Clune.
"We are under contract to the Department of Transport to keep both bridges operating. The only time we applied to the police to close the Severn Bridge was back in June when we needed it shut on a Sunday for essential resurfacing work."
In answer to the fact that recent closures have been of longer duration – on one occasion an entire weekend – and complete shutdowns rather than bans on high-sided vehicles had been introduced, Mr Clune said the police operated a three-stage system and obviously thought the weather warranted their action.
"The Second Crossing always stays open because it was designed with bad weather in mind. It has never shut for the weather," he said.
He added that even if the company wanted to shut the bridge for economic reasons it had signed a contract not to do so – and this still had some 13 years to run.
Since the second crossing opened traffic on the 'old' bridge has diminished, but toll and maintenance staff are on hand 24 hours a day for 365 days a year.