ROADWORKS set for the Second Severn Crossing this summer have prompted concerns over delays and a possible effects to the economy of south Wales.

The Highways Agency announced yesterday that major resurfacing works on the M4 are set to start on June 9.

During the first phase, a 0.6mile stretch of lane one between junctions 22 and 23 on the eastbound carriageway will be closed for resurfacing from June 9 until July 14. While the work is completed, lane two will also be closed for safety reasons leaving just a single lane for traffic to pass.

A 50mph limit will also be imposed during the work, which a Highways Agency spokeswoman said will be carried out “around the clock.”

The second phase, during which the process will be repeated on the westbound carriageway, will take place between September 6 and October 11.

Motorists will be diverted via the original M48 Severn Bridge.

Newport East AM John Griffiths said: “Everyone understands that maintenance has to be carried out to enable the bridge to continue operating, but it’s very much of question of when and how it’s carried out. I think there’s questions to be answered as to whether enough thought has been given.”

William Graham AM for South Wales East said: “They have taken care to avoid the peak period, but any reduction in traffic capability on the M4 is detrimental to the economic prosperity of Wales.”

Chris Osborne, chairman of the Wales Tourism Alliance, said that although there will inevitably be disruption, we should be grateful it was not taking place at peak times and he hoped the diversion would be appropriately signposted.

Gerry Jones, who owns Cwmcarn-based Gerry Jones Transport, said: “It will obviously mean a lot of traffic will have to go over the old bridge and I’m not sure it will be able to cope with amount of traffic. The inevitable delays will have a knock on effect on costs.”

Graham Morgan of South Wales Chamber of Commerce said: “As a chamber we have to accept that maintenance needs to be done, but I think it needs to be communicated fairly clearly particularly to those on the business side of things. I’m more concerned about the westbound closure in the autumn, which will effect trucks coming into Wales and have an effect on business.”