Latest news with #ChrisPope
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Severn Bridge ban could have 'huge knock-on effect' for drivers using the M4
An expert has warned that motorists using the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge could face more delays as a result of the closure of the M48 Severn Bridge to certain heavy goods vehicles. The ban, which stops any vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes using the bridge, will come into force for at least 12 months from Tuesday (May 27). The decision to ban hauliers was made after National Highways discovered the cables supporting the structure are deteriorating. From Tuesday, hauliers will be redirected to the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge, generating concerns that it will have a "huge knock-on effect for other road users". Last year, the Severn Bridge carried roughly 32,000 vehicles a day - 3,270 of which were over 7.5t. This means that around 10 per cent of traffic will be diverted via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge once the restrictions are in place. READ MORE: Council crews to search bins and hand £70 fines to rule-breakers READ MORE: Tesco customers now have to push a button to access one product car insurance expert Rhydian Jones said: "With HGVs being redirected to the M4 Severn Bridge instead, this is likely to have a huge knock-on effect for other road users, resulting in heavier traffic and delays on that popular route. "The M4 is already one of the busiest links between Wales and England, used daily by commuters, airport travellers, and delivery drivers. "With more large vehicles joining that route, drivers should plan for slower journeys, particularly during rush hour or busy travel periods." He said that drivers should consider leaving extra time for their journeys, check for travel updates and avoid travelling at peak times when possible. He added: "The impact could also be especially noticeable for those heading to airports like Bristol or Heathrow. "So planning ahead will be key to avoiding last-minute stress, especially if you're working to tight schedules like flight times." The weight restriction has been implemented to ensure that two lanes on the M48 bridge can remain open to all other vehicles, ensure the safety of the bridge, and reduce the load on the cables. Chris Pope, Programme Delivery Manager for National Highways, said: "Safety is our number one priority, and this weight restriction is about future-proofing the bridge for years to come. "While the bridge remains safe, it was not designed and built for today's levels or weight of traffic. "Vehicles have become heavier and traffic levels have increased significantly over the last 60 years, putting greater load on the cables. "As with all our structures, we will continue to monitor the bridge and ensure it remains safe for users." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here The Severn Bridge first opened nearly 60 years ago, and has had to deal with ever-increasing vehicle weights and traffic numbers. Since the tolls were removed on the bridge in 2018 there has been a 34% increase in traffic, and these changes mean a substantial increase in weight over the bridge, which it was not designed for, National Highways said. Results of assessments of the bridge were finalised in December and revealed that the main cables are deteriorating and not as strong. Due to these results, it was recommended National Highways reduce the load on the bridge to minimise further damage. Chris added: "We'd like to thank drivers for their support and must stress that only heavy goods vehicles below 7.5 tonnes in weight should use the bridge. "Continued use of the bridge by heavier vehicles could ultimately see it closed to all traffic. We are acting now to prevent this from happening." The M48 Severn Bridge will remain open to all emergency vehicles, buses, coaches, gritters and recovery vehicles. If there is an unplanned closure of the Prince of Wales bridge, vehicles over 7.5t will need to follow the official diversion route via the M5 and the M50. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are being explored to support the enforcement of the new weight restriction.
Scottish Sun
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Busy bridge used by over 30,000 drivers a day CLOSES to heavy vehicles next month in ‘devastating move'
Truck drivers worry that the move could cause "immense" damage to their business, especially if the alternative bridge is closed SHUT DOWN Busy bridge used by over 30,000 drivers a day CLOSES to heavy vehicles next month in 'devastating move' A MAJOR route into Wales will ban heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in a move drivers say will cost them 'immensely.' The M48 River Severn Bridge will ban vehicles over 7.5 tonnes for 18 months from 27 May after cables supporting the historic structure were found to be deteriorating. 3 The Severn Bridge at sunset- built in 1966 it was not designed to take the weight of modern HGVs Credit: Getty 3 An areal photo of the two bridges in 2006 Credit: Getty - Contributor Instead, they will be forced to make a lengthy detour via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge, which a director of a Haulage company warned was unreliable. National Highways has claimed it has 'no choice' but to block the heaviest trucks as its main priority is to protect public safety. But James Burton, director of M&J Transport, told BBC Radio Bristol that the impact on his industry could be 'devastating.' He argued that if the proposed alternative, the Prince of Wales bridge, shut down due to bad weather or a crash it woud it would completely cut off HGVS from the Severn crossing. He said: "They've not put any plans or any thought into what's going to happen when it gets busy in the summer, or if there's any closures. The cost to the industry and the cost to us personally would be immense," he said. Chris Pope, from National Highways, said that if they didn't ban HGVs, they would be forced to close it completely. He said: 'We want to keep the bridge running for people, but the solution we have found is that we've managed to keep it open for 90% of people. "It is safe, it's all about loading, and unfortunately, we are in a position where about 85% of the loading that the main suspension cables are carrying is actually the bridge itself." Caroline Tovey of Richard Tovery Transport pointed out that the new route already forces drivers on a 14-mile detour. 3 The bridge supports the M48 from Gloucestershire to Wales Credit: Alamy She added that some areas may find "large vehicles being rerouted through their communities". "It isn't just about the money, it's about infrastructure that isn't used to (HGVs)." Claire Young, MP for Thornbury and Yate, told the BBC it would cost between £300million to £600million to strengthen the bridge to take the current load of HGVs. She argues that the infrastructure dates to the sixties, and that vehicles and traffic have got heavier. She said: "It has the potential to really impact the local economy. The government says its top priority is growth. If we are going to have that, we need the infrastructure to support it."
The Sun
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Busy bridge used by over 30,000 drivers a day CLOSES to heavy vehicles next month in ‘devastating move'
A MAJOR route into Wales will ban heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in a move drivers say will cost them 'immensely.' The M48 River Severn Bridge will ban vehicles over 7.5 tonnes for 18 months from 27 May after cables supporting the historic structure were found to be deteriorating. 3 3 Instead, they will be forced to make a lengthy detour via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge, which a director of a Haulage company warned was unreliable. National Highways has claimed it has 'no choice' but to block the heaviest trucks as its main priority is to protect public safety. But James Burton, director of M&J Transport, told BBC Radio Bristol that the impact on his industry could be 'devastating.' He argued that if the proposed alternative, the Prince of Wales bridge, shut down due to bad weather or a crash it woud it would completely cut off HGVS from the Severn crossing. He said: "They've not put any plans or any thought into what's going to happen when it gets busy in the summer, or if there's any closures. The cost to the industry and the cost to us personally would be immense," he said. Chris Pope, from National Highways, said that if they didn't ban HGVs, they would be forced to close it completely. He said: 'We want to keep the bridge running for people, but the solution we have found is that we've managed to keep it open for 90% of people. "It is safe, it's all about loading, and unfortunately, we are in a position where about 85% of the loading that the main suspension cables are carrying is actually the bridge itself." Caroline Tovey of Richard Tovery Transport pointed out that the new route already forces drivers on a 14-mile detour. 3 She added that some areas may find "large vehicles being rerouted through their communities". "It isn't just about the money, it's about infrastructure that isn't used to (HGVs)." Claire Young, MP for Thornbury and Yate, told the BBC it would cost between £300million to £600million to strengthen the bridge to take the current load of HGVs. She argues that the infrastructure dates to the sixties, and that vehicles and traffic have got heavier. She said: "It has the potential to really impact the local economy. The government says its top priority is growth. If we are going to have that, we need the infrastructure to support it."
The Irish Sun
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Busy bridge used by over 30,000 drivers a day CLOSES to heavy vehicles next month in ‘devastating move'
A MAJOR route into Wales will ban heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in a move drivers say will cost them 'immensely.' The M48 River Severn Bridge will ban vehicles over 7.5 tonnes for 18 months from 27 May after cables supporting the historic structure were found to be deteriorating. 3 The Severn Bridge at sunset- built in 1966 it was not designed to take the weight of modern HGVs Credit: Getty 3 An areal photo of the two bridges in 2006 Credit: Getty - Contributor Instead, they will be forced to make a lengthy detour via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge, which a director of a Haulage company warned was unreliable. National Highways has claimed it has 'no choice' but to block the heaviest trucks as its main priority is to protect public safety. But James Burton, director of M&J Transport, told BBC Radio Bristol that the impact on his industry could be 'devastating.' He argued that if the proposed alternative, the Prince of Wales bridge, shut down due to bad weather or a crash it woud it would completely cut off HGVS from the Severn crossing. Read more He said: "They've not put any plans or any thought into what's going to happen when it gets busy in the summer, or if there's any closures. The cost to the industry and the cost to us personally would be immense," he said. Chris Pope, from National Highways, said that if they didn't ban HGVs, they would be forced to close it completely. He said: 'We want to keep the bridge running for people, but the solution we have found is that we've managed to keep it open for 90% of people. "It is safe, it's all about loading, and unfortunately, we are in a position where about 85% of the loading that the main suspension cables are carrying is actually the bridge itself." Caroline Tovey of Richard Tovery Transport pointed out that the new route already forces drivers on a 14-mile detour. Most read in Motors 3 The bridge supports the M48 from Gloucestershire to Wales Credit: Alamy She added that some areas may find "large vehicles being rerouted through their communities". "It isn't just about the money, it's about infrastructure that isn't used to (HGVs)." Claire Young, MP for Thornbury and Yate, told the BBC it would cost between £300million to £600million to strengthen the bridge to take the current load of HGVs. She argues that the infrastructure dates to the sixties, and that vehicles and traffic have got heavier. She said: "It has the potential to really impact the local economy. The government says its top priority is growth. If we are going to have that, we need the infrastructure to support it."
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Legislature approves community solar legislation
A solar panel array. (Photo illustration by Getty Images) The Montana Legislature last week approved a bill to boost private community solar projects across the state. Shared solar projects are gaining momentum across the country with more than 44 states offering similar programs, according to Sen. Chris Pope, and in Montana through nine of the state's rural electric cooperatives. Pope, a Bozeman Democrat, introduced Senate Bill 188, laying out requirements for shared solar projects and how they will connect with the state's public utilities. Shared solar projects allow individuals who cannot put solar panels on their own property or business to invest in, and benefit from, solar energy. Community solar projects are 'a small but meaningful part of an all-of-the-above energy approach that's embraced by our governor and frankly, which is needed, as we know in this committee and in Senate Energy, it's needed by Montana's quickly growing electric grid,' Pope told the House Energy, Technology, and Federal Relations Committee on March 24. The bill creates a framework for developers to build a solar facility that generates between 50 kilowatts and five megawatts and sell the generated electricity to subscribers located within the service area. Subscribers would receive a monthly bill credit proportional to their share of the project. The bill passed both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support, including a final 46-4 vote in the Senate during the weekend. In both the Senate and House committee hearings, more than a dozen groups and individuals testified in support of the legislation, while NorthWestern Energy and Montana-Dakota Utilities, Montanan's largest utilities, opposed the bill. SB 188 opens up community solar to individuals who are unable to tap into the solar market otherwise, proponents said, such as those who rent their homes or live in apartment complexes. It also expands opportunities for those who develop solar arrays, including public-private partnerships, individuals such as farmers and ranchers, and can make use of underdeveloped property. 'These programs provide energy cost savings for households and businesses without needing to install the system on site,' Matthew Hargarten, vice president of government and public affairs at the Coalition for Community Solar Access, said during the house committee hearing. His organization represents more than 130 businesses nationwide that have invested in more than 2,000 shared solar projects. 'The reality is there's a lot of research and numerous cost-benefit analyses from around the country that smaller projects bring benefits to the entire electric grid and stabilize long-term cost for all ratepayers,' he said. However, Alan Olson, director of government affairs for Northwestern Energy, said he didn't believe the bill offered a 'happy outlook.' He, and the representatives of Montana-Dakota Utilities, stated they'd prefer shared solar projects operate as qualifying facilities — an existing program for small-scale generators to use the utility-scale infrastructure. Those projects are regulated by the Public Service Commission. Olson also brought up concerns over the administrative cost burden utilities would have to bear by keeping track of community solar subscribers; but a House amendment to the bill shifted that responsibility onto the shared solar facility owners. Justin Pearce, CEO of A-Team Roofing & Solar in Billings, said the bill would be an economic boon to Montana. His veteran-owned company employs 27 people just in their solar department, a number he expects will grow to more than 50 by the end of the year. 'You might not know this, but Billings has 285, what they call, sun days a year. Phoenix, Arizona, only has 283,' Pearce said. 'Energy production in Montana is really good in the solar world. I feel this is one more piece of energy dominance for the state of Montana. So jobs, jobs, jobs.' Senate Bill 188 was also supported by more than a dozen groups including the Montana Farmers Union, Northern Plains Resource Council, the Blackfeet Nation, Fort Belknap Indian Community, the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy's, and the Montana Environmental Information Center, 'This is a happy bill,' Pope told the house committee. 'And everyone benefits.' Fifty-four representatives supported SB 188 on third reading in the House and all but four Senators supported the bill in its final Senate vote.
