Mr. Alan WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when, at the present rate of increase in traffic flow, he expects the Severn bridge to reach design traffic capacity, as modified by current technical assessment of the safety load for the bridge.
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§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Department does not ascribe design capacity to any type of road. The practical capacity of the Severn bridge varies according to the mix of traffic, driving conditions and the time of day and year.
The present strengthening work will ensure that safety considerations will not restrict the amount of traffic using the bridge.