A support package aimed at easing transport woes for people travelling to and from Anglesey following the closure of the Menai Suspension Bridge closure is set to be unveiled on Wednesday. The Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters MS, will be visiting the historic bridge today with a package of support measures.
The deputy minister, who is responsible for transport, will also meet with representatives from Gwynedd and Anglesey councils to discuss important maintenance work. The package will offer support on parking, traffic flow solutions, access to active travel routes and additional bus stops.
The sudden closure of the bridge took place on Friday, October 21 after testing of the bridge's existing hangers during UK Highways A55 maintenance of the structure. Structural engineers recommended that the bridge, which was built by Thomas Telford and opened in 1826, should be closed to all traffic to allow essential maintenance.
Traffic congestion and commuter delays on the remaining bridge - Britannia Bridge cross over the Menai Straits ensued. Some Menai Bridge business owners called for "urgent support" following the closure's impact on their trade.
From December 1, the new support package which put together in partnership with UK Highways A55 Ltd, Anglesey and Gwynedd county councils includes free parking, which will be available at car parks in Menai Bridge (Porthaethwy) town and at the two park and share sites throughout December and January. It has been put in place to assist local businesses dependent on Christmas trade, help reduce the numbers of vehicles wishing to cross the A55 Britannia Bridge and ease commuting times for those seeking to travel to and from Anglesey.
The steps have been taken in addition to other sign-age measures that are currently in place. To assist with the loss of bus services on the island following the closure of the bridge, the council has also provided additional stops closer to the Menai Suspension Bridge. This will allow the general public to travel by bus and walk across the bridge instead of being held-up in traffic on the A55.
Community transport will also help more rural communities affected by the bridge closure. Local Authorities are also considering active travel routes to allow cyclists to use ‘hire bikes,’ potentially to be used in Menai Bridge and Bangor.
An emergency services contingency plan to utilise the suspension bridge when the A55 Britannia Bridge is closed has also been developed. Gates on the Menai Suspension Bridge to allow emergency access across the structure during extreme events were recently installed.
Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters said: “We understand people’s frustrations and the inconvenience and disruption caused to the local community.
"We have been working closely with UK Highways A55 Ltd and local authorities to introduce these measures to help alleviate people’s concerns and ensure disruption is kept to a minimum as essential work continues on the Menai Suspension Bridge.”
Anglesey Council’s Leader Councillor Llinos Medi said: “We are pleased to see these support measures introduced today. Since the closure of the Menai Suspension Bridge, we have been strongly advocating for support to be provided to local businesses.
"The Menai Suspension Bridge is a vital gateway to and from the town centre. We are hopeful these set of measures will go some way to help support local businesses that have reported a fall in trade since the closure of the bridge.
"We are currently analysing the results from a recent online survey shared with local businesses. This work will enable us to continue dialogue with Welsh Government in respect of further support, if needed, throughout the closure period.
"Menai Bridge is very much open for business, and I encourage residents and visitors to visit the town and support local businesses in the area."
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