thumb|Map showing the Severn road and rail crossings, the Severn Bridge (top right), Severn Tunnel and Prince of Wales Bridge (Second Severn Crossing) (bottom left)thumb|right|Aerial view of both Severn bridges. The older Severn Bridge is in the foreground and the newer Prince of Wales Bridge in the background.
Severn crossing is a term used to refer to the two motorway crossings over the River Severn estuary between England and Wales operated by England's National Highways. The two crossings are:
- Severn Bridge ()
- Prince of Wales Bridge (), until 2018 known as the Second Severn Crossing (Ail Groesfan Hafren).
The first motorway suspension bridge was inaugurated on 8 September 1966, and the newer cable-stayed bridge, a few miles to the south, was inaugurated on 5 June 1996. The Second Severn crossing stands more or less where the mid Severn Estuary becomes the upper estuary. It was officially renamed the Prince of Wales Bridge on 2 July 2018.
The two Severn crossings are regarded as the main crossing points from England into South Wales. Before 1966 road traffic between the southern counties of Wales and the southern counties of England had either to travel via Gloucester or to take the Aust Ferry, which ran roughly along the line of the Severn Bridge, from Old Passage near Aust to Beachley.
Railway crossings
The Severn Tunnel, carrying mainline trains under the Severn along the South Wales Main Line has been followed in its original route by the Second Severn Crossing. A 2022 proposal also did not include any new road or rail link.
2018 Third Severn Crossing proposal
The county of Gloucestershire's 2050 Vision was launched in 2018, and contains a proposal for a third Severn Crossing between Lydney and Sharpness. This would replicate the former Severn Bridge Railway.
See also
- Aust Severn Powerline Crossing
- List of crossings of the River Severn
- List of bridges in Wales