The closure of the Menai Suspension Bridge this weekend was due to HGVs and coaches ignoring a three-tonne limit, imposed on the bridge last Friday (3 October) to allow engineers to replace bolts on critical beams, the Welsh government has revealed.
The weight limit on the bridge, which spans the Menai Straits between Anglesey and the Welsh mainland, was imposed following structural investigations carried out as part of the Phase 2 works by UK Highways A55 DBFO, the body responsible for the bridge’s maintenance and operation.
Engineers recommended an immediate introduction of the three-tonne limit to allow bolts on critical beams located beneath the structure to be replaced.
However, following reports that heavy vehicles were breaching the three tonne limit, the Welsh Government announced the temporary closure of the bridge at 2pm on Saturday (4 October), leaving drivers facing congestion and potential delays and traffic diverted to the nearby Britannia Bridge.
In a statement announcing the closure of the bridge, Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, said: “Despite the Welsh government’s best efforts to keep the bridge open, we took the difficult decision to temporarily close it with immediate effect on Saturday 4 October.
“This decision follows feedback from UK Highways A55 DBFO, highlighting challenges with enforcement that compromise the safe operation of the bridge at three tonnes.
“Enforcement of the weight limit is critical and during the 7.5-tonne weight limit we have had instances of non-compliance by HGV and coaches crossing the bridge and ignoring the weight limit signs.”
He added: “While we have explored every possible option to keep the bridge open safely, the advice from engineers and the enforcement concerns raised by UK Highways A55 DBFO have left us with no alternative but to implement a full temporary closure.”
The Welsh Government said the closure will remain in place until further investigations are completed.
Josh Fenton, Logistics UK policy manager for trade, customs and borders, said the temporary closure highlights the fragility of the UK’s ageing infrastructure and called for remedial works to be carried out as quickly as possible so the bridge can reopen safely.
He added: “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 £7.7bn.”
“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.”
