The Welsh Government has instructed Traffic Wales to close Menai Bridge to all traffic with immediate effect on 21 October, based on safety recommendations from structural engineers.
Significant risks have been identified during a recent inspection and the bridge will be closed until the essential works are completed. It’s expected the bridge will be closed until the new year and traffic will be diverted to the Britannia Bridge.
Why is the Menai Bridge closed?
During a Principal Inspection of the Menai Bridge, a potential issue with the bridge’s suspended span hangers was identified. As a result of further testing, serious risks have been identified and structural engineers have recommended to close Menai Bridge to all traffic.
What happened between the 7.5 tonne weight restriction being put in place to the bridge being closed?
The 7.5 tonne weight restriction was implemented on Menai Bridge on 2 June 2022 as a precaution following a Principal Inspection. The restriction enabled further tests carried out into the bridge’s suspended span hangers and a hanger replacement programme to be established.
Structural engineers were instructed to undertake further assessment and testing work into the identified issue. The result of this work has detected a structural issue with the bridge and led to a recommendation to close the bridge to all traffic.
How long will the Menai Bridge be closed for?
The findings that led to the recommendation to close the bridge are currently being reviewed which could take up to two weeks. Available options to reopen the bridge as soon as possible are being actively assessed.
Temporary hanger strengthening works may need to be installed to ensure the safety and integrity of the Menai Bridge. This programme could take between 14-16 weeks, with the bridge reopening in early 2023.
How do I cross the Menai Strait while the bridge is closed?
All vehicle traffic will be diverted to the Britannia Bridge. Suitable diversion routes are being planned with Traffic Wales, the Welsh Government and emergency services.
Following discussions with UK Highways and their structural experts, the footway across the bridge has been re-opened for pedestrians and dismounted cyclists.
People must remain on the pedestrian footways and numbers will be limited. Marshalls will be in place from Friday, 21 October to Monday, 24 October to manage pedestrian flows and monitoring will be put in place to ensure compliance moving forward.
What happens if the Britannia Bridge is closed?
It is very uncommon for the Britannia Bridge to close. In the last five years, the bridge has been closed to high-sided vehicles on average seven times a year.
Welsh Government is developing further strategies in order to increase resilience on the Britannia Bridge to mitigate the risk of both bridges being closed in exceptional circumstances.
Will emergency vehicles be able to travel over the bridge?
Emergency services are instructed to use Britannia Bridge until further notice.
