MORE than 30,000 people have signed a petition against the move to rename the Second Severn Crossing after Prince Charles.

Secretary of state for Wales Alun Cairns announced last week that the crossing would be renamed after the Prince to mark his 70th birthday year and 60 years since he became the Prince of Wales.

He said that the bridge, which crosses the River Severn near Bristol, would be given the name the Prince of Wales Bridge at a ceremony later this year.

“The announcement is a fitting tribute to His Royal Highness in a year that sees him mark 60 years as The Prince of Wales and decades of continued, dedicated service to our nation,” he said.

“Renaming one of the most iconic landmarks in Wales is a fitting way to formally recognise his commitment and dedication to Wales and the UK as the Prince of Wales.”

But Mr Cairns has subsequently come under fire for taking the decision without a public consultation.

Many have said the bridge should not be renamed, or that it should be named after somebody else.

The petition, set up by Jamie Matthews, states: “Let’s name the bridge after someone who has achieved something for our nation.

“Let’s consult the people before renaming it unilaterally.”

As of this morning (Tuesday), 31,892 people had signed the petition.

The Second Severn Crossing was officially opened by Prince Charles in 1996.

The name change comes ahead of the abolition of tolls on the crossing later this year, following its return to public ownership.