Menai Bridge closed due to 'serious structural concerns'

27/10/2022 | CHRIS AMES

The Welsh Government has ordered the emergency closure of the Menai Bridge to all traffic after a routine inspection highlighted ‘serious concerns’ about the structure.

In a statement to the Welsh Parliament, transport minister Lee Waters said the decision to close the bridge last Friday afternoon (21 October) was made on safety grounds after clear advice from structural engineers and conversations with the police.

All vehicular traffic is now being diverted across the Britannia Bridge. The Menai Bridge, which links mainland Wales to Anglesey, is managed by a private company, UK Highways A55 Ltd, as part of a PFI Design-Build-Finance-Operate contract.

UK Highways carries out inspections on the bridge as part of its maintenance responsibility at standard two-year and six-year intervals.

General inspections every two years are visual inspections, typically using binoculars or aerial drone surveys, while principal inspections every six years involve close examinations.

Mr Waters said that as part of the last principal inspection in 2019 a concern about the resilience of hangers, which support the suspension bridge was identified. A weight restriction was imposed on the bridge while further studies were carried out.

The latest inspection, which was reported to the Welsh Government last Wednesday ‘unexpectedly highlighted an immediate concern around the brittle failure mechanism of the hangers’.

Mr Waters said: ‘As is standard practice, officials reviewed and challenged the findings, however, based on very clear advice from structural engineers it was considered there was no other option but to close the bridge while further checks on the analysis are undertaken by an independent consultant.

‘This is not a decision that was taken lightly. I fully appreciate the implications that this will have for local people especially without any advance warnings. However, the safety of our network and the travelling public is paramount and the decision has been based upon the safety recommendations from the structural engineers.’

Mr Waters said the findings that led to the recommendation to close the bridge are currently being reviewed with an initial review set to take up to two weeks.

He added that temporary hanger strengthening works may need to be installed to ensure the safety and integrity of the Menai Bridge. This could take between 14-16 weeks, with the bridge reopening to vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes in early 2023.

In the meantime, officials are working on further contingency plans in the area and will continue to monitor the congestion issues to inform future changes.

They are also developing further strategies to increase resilience on the Britannia Bridge to mitigate the risk of both bridges being closed in exceptional circumstances, Mr Waters said.

Paula Renzel, Welsh roads & climate campaigner for Transport Action Network Cymru said: 'This closure, while disruptive, highlights the need for measures to be brought in to reduce the amount of traffic using the bridge.

'Better options for people to walk, cycle, car share and use public transport need to be implemented immediately. Novel solutions such as temporary bus priority measures, more bus and rail services could all help alleviate the strain on the road.'

She added: 'If this is done well, it could provide a model for lasting change that improves things for everyone'.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Senior Development Management Engineer

£37,938 - £44,711
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Senior Engineer (Consultancy)

£43,693 - £50,788 
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Carbon and Net Zero Manager

£47,754 - £50,788
To lead and manage the carbon strategy for the Agent by developing a programme South Wales
Recruiter: South Wales Trunk Road Agent

Highways Engagement Officer - WMF1977e

£33,366 - £34,314
The role will provide specialist support within the Highways service Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Trunk Road Services – Senior Supervisor

Grade 9
South Wales Trunk Road Agent
Recruiter: South Wales Trunk Road Agent

Horticultural Operative

£25390.0000 - £26203.0000 per annum
Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Braintree Council to recruit a Horticultural Operative.To apply please click here
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Highway Asset Maintenance Assistant Engineer (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (Pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council is a confident, ambitious organisation Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Engineer, Highways Asset Maintenance CDC

Grade 9, £38,653 - £42,728 (Pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council is a confident, ambitious organisation which puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Street Cleansing Team Leader

£31,067.00 - £33,366.00, Grade 7, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Street Cleansing Team Leader Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Traffic Engineering Officer

£36,124 to £37,938 per annum
An exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and passionate Traffic Engineering Officer Rutland
Recruiter: Rutland County Council

Highways Engineer

£36,124 to £37,938 per annum
An exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and passionate Highways Engineer Rutland
Recruiter: Rutland County Council

Civil Enforcement Officers

£25,183- £26,409 plus weekend allowance
We’re looking for Civil Enforcement officers to join our parking services team. North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Asset Development Manager

£44,111 per annum (pay award pending)
Do you want to work for an organisation that values you as an individual? West Yorkshire
Recruiter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Career Grade Transport Planner (Carer Grade 6-8)

Grade 06 (£29,093 - £32,654) TO Grade 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
This is a fantastic opportunity to work for a forward thinking and dynamic transport authority located in the heart of the North West Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Principal Transport Planner

GRADE 10 (£47,754 - £50,787)
This is a fantastic opportunity to work for a forward thinking and dynamic transport authority located in the heart of the North West. Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Senior Technician - Highways Inspections

Grade 10 £34,324 - £37,529 per annum
This is an exciting time to join one of the country’s leading public sector in-house Highways Services Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Senior Technician - Asset Management

Grade 10 £34,324 - £37,529 per annum
The position provides an exciting opportunity to develop how all highway assets are managed in the future Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Road and Street Works Co-ordinator Engineer

Grade 11 £39,513 to £43,693 per annum
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Highway Network Management Section as a Road & Street Works Co-ordinator Engineer.   The efficient co-ordi Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Group Manager for Highway Contracts and Service Development

£59,537 progressing to £66,642
This role’s purpose is to manage the suite of highway contracts and continue to develop and improve the Highways Service in all senses Hertfordshire
Recruiter: Hertfordshire County Council

Senior Development Management Engineer

£37,938 - £44,711
This is an excellent opportunity to join a team of Highway Development Officers delivering high-quality development across Coventry. coventry
Recruiter: Coventry City Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW