Following pressure put on Labour ministers by the Welsh Conservatives, the Labour Government will issue a statement regarding the sudden closure of the Menai Bridge.
In a joint letter to the First Minister, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Transport, Natasha Asghar MS, and Member of Parliament for Ynys Môn, Virginia Crosbie MP, raised concerns regarding the impact that the closure of the Menai Bridge in North Wales.
And North Wales MS, Sam Rowlands submitted an urgent question for answer in the Senedd on Tuesday.
Commenting, Natasha Asghar MS said:
“I am deeply shocked at the news that the Menai Bridge could be shut for a period of up to four months without any warning.
“Rather than give people the option to plan ahead, motorists are now being forced to change their plans last minute and use the Britannia Bridge which is regularly closed due to high winds.
“I’m glad the Deputy Minister for Climate Change will be making a statement tomorrow, but the shocking fact remains Labour ministers tried to take this action with no parliamentary scrutiny before the Welsh Conservatives called them out.
“Labour ministers need to stop causing havoc and work with motorists to ensure that Wales has the infrastructure fit for the 21st century.”
MP for Ynys Môn, Virginia Crosbie added:
" I am shocked and appalled by the sudden decision by Welsh Government to close the Menai Bridge - without notice - for up to four months due to structural weakness caused by heavy traffic.
This is a problem that should have been anticipated. The bridge should never have been allowed to get into a state where this kind of emergency response is necessary.
In June 2021 the Welsh Labour Government – propped up by Plaid Cymru - froze all new road-building projects to conduct a review. Their delays and lack of investment in our infrastructure is having a devastating impact on Anglesey.
46,000 vehicles cross the Menai Straits each day and the Menai Bridge is a critical part of our infrastructure – particularly for the families, workers and our students who commute over the bridge daily.
With the Britannia Bridge often closed to high sided vehicles due to high winds this move will also hit the port of Holyhead and our fragile Island economy.
This is unacceptable. I am doing all I can to bring jobs and investment to Ynys Môn but our island desperately needs the Welsh Government to prioritise good, reliable transport links in order to make these new opportunities viable for our community."
Sam Rowlands MS concluded:
“The sudden closure of Menai Bridge is very concerning, and it’s disappointing that the Welsh Labour Government haven’t outlined sufficient rationale behind the reason for this sudden closure.
“The healthcare, economy and infrastructure of North Wales has been ignored for too long. These are not luxuries, these are necessities.
“The sudden closure of the Menai Bridge will deliver a massive blow to the economy of Anglesey, restricting the number of vehicles and will increase congestion.
“That’s why I raised an emergency question regarding this issue and am glad a statement will be made tomorrow.”
