§ Mr. Roy HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that the proper equipment is available and arrangements made to ensure that when a vehicle overturns on the Severn bridge quick remedial action can be taken.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe equipment necessary for the recovery and removal of overturned vehicles on the Severn crossing is already available. High winds are almost invariably the cause of vehicles overturning on the crossing and these winds also impede and delay vehicle recovery.
§ Mr. Roy HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the reason for the closure of the Severn bridge on 26 February; and for how long traffic was disrupted.
§ Mr. AtkinsA high-sided heavy goods vehicle overturned in high winds on the westbound carriageway of the Severn crossing at approximately 3.30 am on 26 February. The vehicle came to rest across the central reservation, spilling diesel fuel on both carriageways. As a result, both carriageways were closed to traffic. The vehicle and spillage was cleared by early afternoon, but with winds gusting to 70 knots, it was not considered safe to reopen the crossing until 4.50 pm. High-sided vehicles were banned until 3.30 am the following day.