Largest Bridge Over the River Severn: The Second Severn Crossing (Prince of Wales Bridge)

The Second Severn Crossing—renamed the Prince of Wales Bridge in 2018—is the largest bridge spanning the River Severn between England and Wales.

Key Specifications

• Type: Cable-stayed bridge
• Main span: 939.5 m (3,082 ft)
• Total length: 5,128 m (16,824 ft)
• Opened: 1996
• Carries: M4 motorway (3 lanes each direction)
• Designer: Halcrow Group / Laing-GTM joint venture

Context

The original Severn Bridge (1966, suspension, 988 m main span) carries the M48 3 km upstream. The Second Crossing was built to handle growing traffic volumes (now ~90,000 vehicles/day combined). Both are tolled westbound only (England → Wales); tolls removed in 2018.

The River Severn (UK's longest river, 354 km) also has the Severn Railway Bridge (1879, demolished 1970) and numerous road/rail crossings upstream—but the Prince of Wales Bridge is the largest by span and deck width.