​A spokesperson said engineers worked through the night after urgent inspections revealed several lighting columns on the Prince of Wales Bridge were at immediate risk of collapse. While the unstable columns have now been removed, wider safety inspections are still under way. National Highways said: “We are carrying out a special detailed safety inspection of all remaining columns, including a visual inspection inside the column, and these will be completed in the next two weeks. “The lighting on the Prince of Wales will not be switched back on until we have completed the special inspections and after a road safety review has confirmed that the remaining lighting meets our design standards, so that we do not have dark and light patches that can be difficult for drivers. “We will replace the lighting columns as needed once this work has been completed.” Motorists are still being urged to take extra care, with unsettled weather continuing to affect the region and further disruption possible while ongoing assessments are carried out on both Severn crossings. Yesterday, drivers reported queues stretching back to J26 Malpas, with some stuck for up to two hours as lanes 1 and 2 were closed in both directions on the Prince of Wales Bridge. The M48 Severn Bridge was also shut both ways at the height of the high winds, forcing all traffic onto the M4 and worsening congestion. Traffic Wales has now confirmed that the 7.5-tonne weight restriction has been reinstated on the M48 following safety checks, while the M4 crossing is operating normally again.