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Severn crossing shut by ice fall | |
(31 minutes later) | |
The second Severn crossing between south Wales and south west England has been closed because of falling ice. | |
The old Severn Bridge has also been closed eastbound for the same reason although it is still open westbound. | |
Both motorway crossings were also shut during wintry weather last February, when car windscreens were smashed. | |
The latest closure is causing traffic problems, with queues forming eastbound around Newport as vehicles are diverted off the M4 at the Coldra roundabout. | The latest closure is causing traffic problems, with queues forming eastbound around Newport as vehicles are diverted off the M4 at the Coldra roundabout. |
Freezing temperatures have affected much of Wales overnight. | Freezing temperatures have affected much of Wales overnight. |
Jim Clune, general manager of Severn River Crossing, said for the bridges to be affected for the second time in a year was very unusual. | |
"We are aware of what's happening and we're in touch with the Highways Agency regional traffic control centre in Avonmouth," he said. | |
"Health and safety is paramount and we're hoping that the bridges get back to normal as quickly as possible." | |
There are more than 80 school closures, mainly in south Wales, while motorists have been urged to take care on roads. | There are more than 80 school closures, mainly in south Wales, while motorists have been urged to take care on roads. |
Temperatures plummeted below zero, leading to warnings of ice on roads. | Temperatures plummeted below zero, leading to warnings of ice on roads. |
There were two crashes on the M4, one involving four vehicles eastbound near Margam, which closed one lane, and earlier westbound between J44-45. | There were two crashes on the M4, one involving four vehicles eastbound near Margam, which closed one lane, and earlier westbound between J44-45. |
A car was reported to have hit the central reservation between junctions 44 at Llansamlet and 45 at Ynysforgan, at 06.40 GMT. | A car was reported to have hit the central reservation between junctions 44 at Llansamlet and 45 at Ynysforgan, at 06.40 GMT. |
Then later, four vehicles were involved in a collision, which initially closed two lanes of the motorway eastbound between junction 38 near Margam and junction 37 at Pyle. | Then later, four vehicles were involved in a collision, which initially closed two lanes of the motorway eastbound between junction 38 near Margam and junction 37 at Pyle. |
A 30mph speed restriction is in place on the A48 old Severn bridge crossing. | A 30mph speed restriction is in place on the A48 old Severn bridge crossing. |
The second Severn crossing was closed back in February because of falling ice | |
Bus firm First Cymru said services in Neath were expected to run normally, apart from the 158 service which is not serving Caewathan due to icy road conditions. | Bus firm First Cymru said services in Neath were expected to run normally, apart from the 158 service which is not serving Caewathan due to icy road conditions. |
In the Swansea Valley, services were missing out Godrergraig and Alltwen, while in Bridgend county services were running to Nantymoel but not via Wyndham and so were turning at Pricetown Clock. | In the Swansea Valley, services were missing out Godrergraig and Alltwen, while in Bridgend county services were running to Nantymoel but not via Wyndham and so were turning at Pricetown Clock. |
Drivers | Drivers |
Motorists in the Vale of Glamorgan are being urged to take extra care when travelling on a section of the A48 in Cowbridge. | Motorists in the Vale of Glamorgan are being urged to take extra care when travelling on a section of the A48 in Cowbridge. |
The council's highways department is warning of a particularly bad stretch of black ice on the town's bypass. | The council's highways department is warning of a particularly bad stretch of black ice on the town's bypass. |
One lane of the A48 westbound at Nantycaws Hill, Carmarthenshire, is closed due to accident between the B4310 (and A484/A40. Drivers are advised to approach with care. | One lane of the A48 westbound at Nantycaws Hill, Carmarthenshire, is closed due to accident between the B4310 (and A484/A40. Drivers are advised to approach with care. |
Horse racing at Bangor-on-Dee has already been abandoned due to a frozen track after an inspection on Monday. | Horse racing at Bangor-on-Dee has already been abandoned due to a frozen track after an inspection on Monday. |