UK government in charge of future M48 Severn Bridge upgrades
In response to Asghar's question on which democratic body oversees the group, Skates replied that the Department for Transport in the UK Government is responsible for overseeing National Highways and, by extension, the steering group.
While Skates did confirm Welsh Government representation, he did not name the individual involved. The South Wales Argus can reveal that Andy Falleyn, Deputy Director and Chief Highway Engineer at the Welsh Government, sits on the group. Falleyn is a senior civil servant responsible for Wales's strategic trunk roads and motorways.
The steering group was formed in late June and includes 14 members: three officials from National Highways, Welsh Government representation, officers from Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire councils, a regional council officer, a transport advocacy director, and members from business organisations. No elected councillors, MSs or MPs are currently listed as participants.
Its remit includes enforcing weight restrictions on the Severn Bridge using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. These cameras, operational since June, were only confirmed through a leaked internal slideshow. Their presence is not disclosed on official public sources. Enforcement is said to fall to Avon and Somerset Police's back-office operations, yet questions remain about whether lorry violations are being actively tracked.
Plans presented by the group include short-to-medium term maintenance continuing through 2026 and longer-term interventions beginning in 2027. These include continued repair work and possible structural reinforcement of the bridge's cables. National Highways has committed to providing regular briefings to MPs and local councils.
Local councillors remain concerned. Sue Riley commented that she knew only one member, Monmouthshire CEO Paul Matthews, and had no understanding of the group's remit or agenda. 'It is certainly not democratic,' she said. Steve Cocks and William Routley echoed similar unease about the growing role of unelected officials in managing vital infrastructure.
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UK government in charge of future M48 Severn Bridge upgrades
The group, set up by National Highways, has faced criticism over its lack of transparency, democratic oversight and lack of online presence. In response to Asghar's question on which democratic body oversees the group, Skates replied that the Department for Transport in the UK Government is responsible for overseeing National Highways and, by extension, the steering group. While Skates did confirm Welsh Government representation, he did not name the individual involved. The South Wales Argus can reveal that Andy Falleyn, Deputy Director and Chief Highway Engineer at the Welsh Government, sits on the group. Falleyn is a senior civil servant responsible for Wales's strategic trunk roads and motorways. The steering group was formed in late June and includes 14 members: three officials from National Highways, Welsh Government representation, officers from Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire councils, a regional council officer, a transport advocacy director, and members from business organisations. No elected councillors, MSs or MPs are currently listed as participants. Its remit includes enforcing weight restrictions on the Severn Bridge using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. These cameras, operational since June, were only confirmed through a leaked internal slideshow. Their presence is not disclosed on official public sources. Enforcement is said to fall to Avon and Somerset Police's back-office operations, yet questions remain about whether lorry violations are being actively tracked. Plans presented by the group include short-to-medium term maintenance continuing through 2026 and longer-term interventions beginning in 2027. These include continued repair work and possible structural reinforcement of the bridge's cables. National Highways has committed to providing regular briefings to MPs and local councils. Local councillors remain concerned. Sue Riley commented that she knew only one member, Monmouthshire CEO Paul Matthews, and had no understanding of the group's remit or agenda. 'It is certainly not democratic,' she said. Steve Cocks and William Routley echoed similar unease about the growing role of unelected officials in managing vital infrastructure.
