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The M4 Prince of Wales Bridge will be fully closed overnight in both directions on Tuesday December 9 for urgent safety work, National Highways has confirmed.

The closure will be in place between Junctions 23 and 22 from 8pm on Tuesday until 6am on Wednesday, December 10. It will allow engineers to safely remove 35 faulty lighting columns which are at risk of collapse.

During the closure, traffic will be diverted via the M48 Severn Bridge, with breakdown recovery services in place. Traffic signals will also operate at junctions 1 and 2 to allow HGVs to cross the M48 in a controlled manner.

The work is weather dependent and can only take place once high winds have subsided.

If the work cannot be completed overnight, lane closures will remain in place across the bridge from 6am on Wednesday, and further overnight closures may be required.

Motorists are being urged to allow extra time for their journeys and only travel if necessary.

Once the lighting columns have been removed, the lights will remain off during the hours of darkness across the Prince of Wales Bridge. An advisory speed limit of 40mph will be in place.

National Highways said it appreciates drivers’ patience while the vital safety work is completed.