THE M48 Severn Bridge will be closed for two weekends to allow essential maintenance work to take place between the Beachley Viaduct and the Wye Bridge sections.

The first closure will be on Saturday 22 September and Sunday 23 September when the bridge deck will be lifted to allow a detailed survey of the work site to be undertaken.

During the second closure, from Friday 5 October to Monday 8 October work to replace and upgrade essential components of one of the bridge s expansion joints will be carried out.

Chris Pope, Highways Agency project sponsor, said: "We have planned the work carefully to cause the least possible disruption to road users and will also be taking the opportunity during the closures to carry out other work such as minor surfacing repairs, maintenance work to barriers and painting posts to reduce the need for traffic management in the future.

"The work is being carried out over two weekends when traffic flows are lowest but road users are advised to plan ahead and allow longer for their journeys. "

Road users travelling westbound to Chepstow should use the M4 Second Severn Crossing, exit at J23a (Magor), then follow the M4 eastbound, then follow the M48 to Chepstow.

Eastbound traffic should follow the M48 westbound then join the M4 eastbound at J23a (Magor) and use the M4 Second Severn Crossing.