October 1960: the birth of the Severn Bridge

In October 1960 The Engineer reported that Ernest Marples, the minister of transport, had invited tenders for construction of the foundations and substructure of the Severn suspension bridge, plus access roads to the site.

The announcement marked the start of works on what we now call the M48 Severn Bridge, a project that would eventually connect England and Wales via the building of the Aust Viaduct, the Severn road bridge itself, a viaduct on the Beachley peninsula and a bridge across the River Wye.

“Erection of the [Severn] bridge superstructure and the building of the Wye Bridge and eastern and western approach roads will be carried out by further contracts, timed to enable the whole scheme to be completed within five to six years,” The Engineer said, adding that the project was being phased with the construction of the Forth road bridge in Scotland.

“The proposed suspension bridge, which will cross the Severn between Aust and Beachley where a motor ferry now operates, will have a main span of 3240ft,” the report added. “It will cost about £11,000,000, while the Wye bridge viaduct, and approach roads linking the bridges with the A.38 at Almondsbury on the east and the A.48 at Crick on the west will cost a further £5,000,000.”