ROADWORKS set for the Second Severn Crossing this summer have been postponed.

Major resurfacing works on the M4, announced by the Highways Agency last month, were due to start on June 9, but yesterday the work was postponed until September.

During the first phase, a 0.6mile stretch of lane one between junctions 22 and 23 on the eastbound carriageway was due to be closed for resurfacing from June 9 until July 14, with lane two closed for safety reasons.

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

Motorists would have been diverted via the original M48 Severn Bridge.

A Highways Agency spokeswoman said Severn River Crossing Plc (SRC), which operates and maintains the bridges, had postponed the works due to difficulties with the procurement process relating to the works.

She said: “Following consultation with the Highways Agency, SRC agreed that to continue would have resulted in a risk that the works would run into the school summer holiday period.”

She added that new dates for the work will be published as soon as they are available.

The planned work prompted concerns from politicians and traders, who feared the timing could affect tourists and workers travelling to and from Wales.