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Old Severn Bridge: Queen's Jubilee request to go to Government

Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II opened the first Severn Bridge in 1966Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II opened the first Severn Bridge in 1966

Councillors have voted to rename the old Severn Bridge in honour of the Queen's upcoming Platinum Jubilee.

The Queen, who celebrates the jubilee in 2022, opened the bridge, which links England and Wales via the M48, in 1966.

South Gloucestershire Council voted on Wednesday to write to the transport secretary to request the change.

But opposition Labour councillors abstained saying it could "reignite arguments of toxic nationalism" on the England and Wales border.

It is likely there would be a public consultation before a final decision.

Matthew Riddle, Conservative member for Severn Vale, proposed the motion, saying he wanted the region to "go the extra mile" to mark the jubilee "in a suitable manner".

It did not contain a specific name, but he said his preference was the "Queen Elizabeth Severn Bridge".

"This is an historic occasion and we should mark it as a nation," he said.

"It's not just that she's reigned for 70 years, it's that she's done it in an exemplary way."

Reuters Queen ElizabethReuters
The Queen will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee in 2022

Councillor Ian Boulton, deputy leader of the Labour group, said the name change could "embarrass" the Queen and the council because of a lack of consultation with Welsh politicians.

He said that instead of "igniting feelings of patriotism" it could "reignite arguments of toxic nationalism on both sides of the border".

When the second Severn crossing was renamed the Prince of Wales Bridge in 2018, it drew criticism from Welsh nationalists.

The newer of the two bridges was opened by the prince in 1996, 30 years after the original crossing.

Geograph/Jaggery Severn BridgeGeograph/Jaggery
Severn Bridge

The Queen's 70-year reign will be celebrated across the UK with a four-day Bank Holiday weekend from 2 to 5 June 2022.

To create the long weekend, the late May Spring Bank Holiday that year will be moved to Thursday 2 June and an additional Bank Holiday will be created on Friday 3 June.

As well as a wide range of public celebration events, jubilee medals will be awarded to public services workers and trees will be planted as part of the celebrations.