Sixty years ago, on September 8, 1966, the Severn Bridge, linking England to Wales from Aust to Chepstow, was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II.
The day was one of celebration, opportunity, and wonder, but also concern over possible protest and violence. Thousands gathered to witness the Queen drive across the bridge, marking a joyful occasion.
The Argus and others recognised the bridge's potential to boost the local economy. The engineering marvel of the bridge was awe-inspiring, yet there were fears of "Welsh extremists" attempting to sabotage it, viewing it as a threat to Welsh independence. Despite these concerns, the day remained festive, with around 10,000 people on the Welsh side and thousands more at Aust.
Near the Newhouse roundabout, crowds filled stands and lined the banks. Soldiers from the South Wales Borderers and the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars joined uniformed school children and Girl Guides in welcoming the Queen. As the Royal motorcade crossed the bridge, ships on the river sounded their sirens, including the Severn ferries, which were sailing for the last time.
The Argus aimed to temper extreme expectations, stating, "Despite the ballyhoo and controversy... we do not envisage that tomorrow or next week or next year will bring a catastrophic upheaval."
Instead, it suggested a new economic region might emerge on Severnside, benefiting both sides. The publication expressed hope for closer commercial and social ties with the rest of Britain, encouraging a warm "Welcome to Wales" or "Croeso i Gymru".
The bridge was hailed as a "great and unique engineering triumph".
Each tower carried 8,000 tons, and the cables supporting the roadway consisted of 8,322 runs of wire, a mile long each, bundled into 20-inch thick cables.
These cables acted like guy ropes, anchored by massive concrete structures weighing 90,000 tons.
The bridge was designed to withstand the Severn's fierce tides, with aerofoil-shaped sections to minimize wind resistance.
The Queen said: "This splendid bridge is an essential part of the motorway network... to provide the modern and efficient road system which is so badly needed."
She praised the engineers, calling the project "huge and technically very advanced", showcasing British engineering prowess.
Upon reaching the Welsh side, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh took their place on a dais carpeted in green. She was invited to unveil a plaque made from limestone hewn in Penhow, which had been guarded overnight to prevent vandalism by Welsh extremists.
The Argus reported that the event "went off like clockwork" despite security concerns, with hundreds of policemen ensuring safety.
On opening day, the toll to cross the bridge was two shillings and sixpence, or 12.5p, marking how the bridge would be remembered.
Sixty years on from opening day, a second Severn crossing, The Prince of Wales Bridge, now takes most of the traffic over the river in and out of Wales, tolls on both bridges have been scrapped, and the Severn Bridge currently has a ban on HGVs crossing it.
The bridge was given Grade I listed status in the late 1990s.
Due to the age of the structure, work is constantly carried out on it to keep it carrying traffic for as long as possible.
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