Explanatory note

These Regulations are made pursuant to sections 31 and 37(5) of the Severn Bridges Act 1992 for the purpose of protecting the second Severn bridge from ship impact both during and after its construction and restrict the vessels which may be navigated within the vicinity of the new bridge. Within a zone 500 metres wide centred on the new bridge, but excluding the Shoots channel, the only vessels permitted are those specified in regulation 3(1). Within the Shoots channel the permitted vessels are vessels of the kinds specified in regulation 3(1), fishing boats and pleasure boats less than 47.5 metres long and vessels either recorded in Lloyd’s Register of Shipping and meeting specified criteria or recorded in registers kept by certain other classification societies and accepted by the Secretary of State as having equivalent characteristics. Provision is made in regulation 4 for the Secretary of State to consent to vessels being navigated when they would otherwise be prohibited.