ST5590 : The Severn Bridge
taken 11 years ago, near to Beachley, Gloucestershire, England
Severn Crossing is a term used to refer to the two motorway crossings over the River Severn estuary between England and Wales. The two crossings are:
The Severn Bridge (Welsh: Pont Hafren)
The Second Severn Crossing (Welsh: Ail Groesfan Hafren)
The first motorway suspension bridge was inaugurated on 8 September 1966, and the newer cable-stayed bridge, a few miles to the south, was inaugurated on 5 June 1996. The Second Severn Crossing marks the upper limit of the Severn Estuary. From 1966 to 1996, the bridge carried the M4 motorway. On completion of the Second Severn crossing the motorway from Aust on the English side to Chepstow was renamed the M48.
The two Severn crossings are regarded as the main crossing points from England into South Wales. Prior to 1966 road traffic between the southern counties of Wales and the southern counties of England either had to travel via Gloucester or take the Aust Ferry, which ran roughly along the line of the Severn Bridge, from Old Passage near Aust to Beachley. The ferry ramps at Old Passage and Beachley are still visible.
Tolls are collected on both crossings from vehicles travelling in a westward direction only. As of January 2012, the toll for small vehicles is £6.20. The Old Severn Bridge is Grade I listed.
The M48 runs 12 miles between Junction 21 & Junction 23 of the M4. It crosses the original Severn Bridge and was until 1996 the M4.
Wikipedia: Link
Grade I listed buildings and structures are of exceptional, even international importance. There are over 6,000 in the country. Only 2.5% of listed buildings are Grade I listed.
In Scotland the classification is Category A
Index: Link