A major motorway bridge has been closed on both ends due to a defect, causing severe disruption.
The M48 Severn Bridge, which links England and Wales, was shut at around 1pm.
Motorists have now been urged to divert via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.
A spokesman for Traffic Wales said: ‘The M48 Severn Bridge is closed in both directions due to emergency works.
‘Further updates to be issued once it has reopened. Drivers are being diverted via J22 Prince of Wales Bridge.’
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National Highways said on its website: ‘The M48 Severn Bridge in Gloucestershire is currently closed eastbound between J2 (Chepstow) and J1 (Aust) due to an infrastructure defect that requires immediate repair.
‘This closure has been implemented as a precautionary safety measure to protect road users while specialist teams carry out safety-critical repairs on the structure.
‘Engineers are on site assessing and rectifying the defect, and the bridge will remain closed until they confirm it is fully safe to reopen.
‘Ensuring the integrity of the bridge and the safety of the travelling public is our top priority, and the closure is essential to allow repair crews to work without risk from live traffic.
‘Traffic Officers are in attendance managing strategic closures and assisting drivers on the approach.
‘Traffic is being diverted via the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge. This bridge is fully open to all traffic.
‘If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.’
The disruption comes after ‘danger to life’ warnings as Storm Claudia sweeps across Wales.
Residents in England and Wales woke to chaos this morning after heavy rainfall sparked floods and evacuations overnight.
Severe flooding caused by Storm Claudia saw Natural Resources Wales impose four severe flood warnings yesterday, amid concerns of a ‘significant risk to life’ with more than 40 flood alerts and warnings across Wales.
Firefighters declared a major incident in Monmouth, with South Wales Fire and Rescue and Welsh Ambulance Services carrying out rescues, evacuations and welfare checks on residents.
Some businesses and homes in Monmouth town centre were underwater this morning after the river Monnow burst its banks.
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