Responding to the announcement that the Menai Suspension Bridge will have to be temporarily closed for urgent repairs, Josh Fenton Policy Manager – Trade, Customs and Borders says this shows the precarious state of the UK’s infrastructure:
“The temporary closure of the Menai Suspension Bridge highlights the fragility of the UK’s ageing infrastructure and remedial works need to be carried out as quickly as possible so the bridge can reopen safely.
“All traffic between Anglesey and the Welsh mainland is now forced onto the Britannia Bridge which will cause inevitable congestion and delays on what is a key trade route between the UK and Ireland. There is more than inconvenience at stake: Logistics UK’s analysis shows having an HGV stuck in traffic costs the operator £1.29 per minute, and the overall cost of congestion to the UK economy in 2024 was £7.7 billion*.
“The situation highlights the importance of building resilience into the UK’s supply chain, which is why the government needs to develop a Freight and Logistics Plan to recognise the importance of strategic freight routes, and ensure they are kept open.”
Logistics UK is one of the UK’s biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods.
In a statement today, Welsh Government said, ” We are actively working with UK Highways A55 DBFO Ltd, to partially reopen the Menai Suspension Bridge to cars, motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians in the coming days.
“This partial reopening is expected to operate between the hours of 07:00-19:00hrs with a full closure overnight. During the hours of operation, the bridge will be limited to vehicles up to a 3-tonne weight limit, with traffic management and a single flow of traffic off the island in the morning and onto the island in the afternoon.”
Cyclists will be expected to dismount when on the bridge and use the pedestrian footway.
Emergency access arrangements for ambulances not able to cross the Britannia Bridge will be in place.
Discussions are ongoing with UK Highways A55 DBFO Ltd and North Wales Police and confirmation of timescales and enforcement will be provided as soon as a plan is fully agreed.
Work is taking place in parallel to undertake the necessary repairs to the bolts. We will continue to provide regular updates when further information is available.
