The Severn Bridge Regulations 1993

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

These Regulations revoke and replace the Severn Bridge Regulations 1966 which were kept in force on a transitional basis by section 42(3) of the Severn Bridges Act 1992 (“the 1992 Act”). These Regulations apply only to the existing Severn Bridge and toll plaza area and not to the new bridge and new toll plaza area at present under construction and, where appropriate, confer powers on the concessionaire authorised pursuant to Part II of the 1992 Act to collect tolls for the use of the bridge as well as on the Secretary of State and on persons appointed by the concessionaire or the Secretary of State pursuant to section 23 of the 1992 Act. The Regulations make provision for the following matters:—

1.  The manner in which and the places at which tolls are to be paid are prescribed and traffic is prohibited from passing a toll-booth unless a green light is showing or the driver is allowed or directed to proceed (regulation 5).

2.  Appointed persons can direct traffic for the purpose of preventing the use of the bridge without the payment of tolls and it is prohibited to obstruct them when acting to prevent such use (regulations 6 and 7).

3.  Drivers are prohibited from using toll lanes shown as being out of use (regulation 8).

4.  Notices must be displayed at toll-booths showing the amounts of tolls, the categories of vehicle for which they are chargeable and other provisions in accordance with which tolls are leviable (regulation 9).

5.  The Motorways Traffic Regulations 1982 are modified in their application to the roads (“the specified roads”) on the bridge and that part of the toll plaza which has no hard shoulder (regulation 10 and the Schedule) and there are special restrictions on stopping and a requirement to report breakdowns on those roads (regulation 11). Constables and appointed persons are empowered to remove broken down vehicles from the specified roads (regulation 12(2)) and only they can attempt to repair, refuel or adjust such vehicles (other than defence vehicles (regulation 12(7)) on those roads (regulation 12(3)). There are however restrictions on the circumstances in which an appointed person or a person authorised by him can take such action (regulation 12(4)). Prescribed charges may be recovered from the registered keeper or person in charge of a vehicle which is removed from the specified roads or on which work is done at that person’s request (regulation 12(5), (6)). For goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes maximum gross weight and buses with capacity for more than 16 persons, the charges are £60 for the first half hour and £30 for subsequent quarter hours. For all other vehicles, the rates are £25 and £12.50 respectively. The previous rates (applicable since 1982) were £12 and £5 for all vehicles. The provisions of regulation 12 apply to the exclusion of certain provisions of the Removal and Disposal of Vehicles Regulations 1986 (regulation 12(8)).

6.  Appointed persons are empowered, on grounds of safety or for the avoidance of delay, to prohibit particular vehicles or vehicles of a particular description from using the bridge, and toll plaza area either generally or unless specified requirements are complied with (regulation 13). It is an offence to contravene such a prohibition.

7.  Special restrictions apply to the use of the cycleway and footway (regulation 14).

8.  The throwing or dropping of things on the roads within the bridge and toll plaza area which could cause personal injury is prohibited (regulation 15) and there are prohibitions against going on to the parts of the bridge not comprised in the roads carried by the bridge and within the toll plaza area or the cycleway and footway and against damaging, removing or interfering with works or signs (regulations 16 and 17).