§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales from what time signs on the M4 in the area of Newport indicated the closure on Sunday 8 December of the Severn bridge and the M4; and at what time the signs were switched off.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsSigns in the Gwent police area indicating a bridge closure were set at 20:48 hours. The incident was dealt with and the messages displayed on the signs were removed at 23:17 hours, when it was considered safe to allow traffic to resume using the crossing.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what alternative route was signposted for drivers during the closure of Severn bridge and part of the M4 on Sunday 8 December; and why the chosen route was recommended.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsDuring the closure of the Severn bridge, traffic was diverted along the A449, A40, M50 and M5 roads. This is the recognised and pre-arranged diversionary route.
A low bridge at the Gloucestershire village of Newnham makes the A48 road unsuitable as a diversionary route, although there is little doubt that drivers of light vehicles such as cars and motorcycles who had knowledge of this route, chose to use it.