DRIVERS have been warned of a major motorway bridge closure due to strong winds.
The M48 Severn Bridge is closed in both directions between J1 (Aust) and J2 (Chepstow) due to strong winds.
The vital motorway bridge, which connects England to Wales and is used by 80,000 Brits every day.
A spokesperson for National Highways said: “Traffic is being diverted via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge. This bridge is fully open to all traffic.
“The latest weather forecast can be seen online at www.metoffice.gov.uk
“If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.
“Further information is available from National Highways by visiting our www.trafficengland.com website and travel apps, or via our regional ‘X’ feed. Our 24/7 contact centre team is also available to provide up to the minute information on 0300 123 5000.”
This comes as the Met Office has issued a “danger to life” yellow warning as 80mm of rain and 40mph gusts are set to hit in just days.
Heavy downpours are expected across southwest England and Wales with up to 80mm of rain forecast from Monday evening onwards.
The Met office said the total rainfall could amount to more than half the average monthly rainfall in December.
It added that there could be 40mm of rainfall in some regions, in Dartmoor and South Wales 60-80mm of rain is predicted.
The Met office warned that next week’s weather could be “potentially disruptive”.
Meteorologists said: “There is a small chance of 80-100 mm falling over the most exposed, prone hills. Given the saturated nature of the ground, this is likely to lead to some flooding in places and transport disruption.
“Rain will also be accompanied by strengthening southerly winds, which may exacerbate impacts.”
They issued more than a dozen flood warnings for England, nine in Scotland and two in Wales.
The Met Office has also declared a yellow warning for the Isles of Scilly, Gloucester, and across Wales to St David’s in Pembrokeshire.
Last night saw gusts of up to 40mph hitting East Sussex and firefighters in Seaford, East Sussex, were called to reports that a garage roof and door had become detached in the high winds.
The showers are forecast to hit higher ground and could cause problems for the already saturated areas.
Experts explained: “Given how wet it has already been, the additional rainfall, especially in western areas, could lead to localised flooding and travel disruption.”
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