Is the M48 essentially abandoned?

[aterribleusername]

Since the original Severn Bridge has been found to be suffering and the HGV weight limit has been applied I've noticed that the whole stretch of the M48, especially the Welsh side, is deteriorating rapidly. The central reservation is massively overgrown with actual trees growing in spots, the verges are encroaching onto the hard shoulder, the surface is breaking up, the temporary speed limits due to rusty barriers are basically permanent (and has been reduced further for a small stretch to 40!) and one of the bridges has exposed rusty rebar visible above lane 1, presumably from a strike by something that was never repaired. All the signage is filthy and in places falling apart. It feels like it's stuck in the last millennium, even more so that the M50 which is a relic in itself.

The whole stretch just feels like nothing has been done to it for years, it handles hardly any traffic and is more akin to a rural dual carriageway than one of the main routes between England and Wales. Is it a hang-up from the tolls finishing and the responsibility for it being split between the two countries? The bridge is actually run by Highways England and presumably not a priority for them, further adding to the decline.

[hopeydaze]

Lots of trucks use the M48, driving up from the M4 to the RDC (regional distribution centre) at Chepstow.

Also, it appears to be Police and camera van free, so plenty of cars chance the speed limits.

[GolfDragon]

I won’t tolerate any M50 slander. Easily one of the best motorways in the UK, even though it is a glorified dual carriageway. Lane discipline is exceptional, no smart motorway stretches and some excellent views of the countryside.

Getting to the M48.

There are plans to resurface the M48 bridge.

The central reservation needs replacing on the Welsh side of the M48 due to safety concerns but rather than pay to fix it the Welsh Government dropped the speed limit to 50mph.

It used to be a nice motorway to drive on to avoid traffic on a Friday afternoon but the 50mph limit makes it a longer route now