Menai Bridge works take a winter break

The Menai Suspension Bridge will fully re-open on Saturday, with work suspended for four months, after completion of the first phase of a repair works programme.

The Welsh Government said excellent progress has been made on works to restore the historic structure, with the replacement of all 168 hangers on the bridge and the completion of phase one on schedule.

The start of phase two works, which among other things involves the repainting of the bridge, will be paused until the end of February to allow for the full re-opening of the bridge, including the lifting of the 7.5 tonne weight limit, over the winter period.

It said this will not impact the schedule for the 200th anniversary of the bridge in January 2026, which is the target date for full completion.

Cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: ‘The completion of phase one works is great news. It has been a challenging time, and I want to place on record my thanks to everyone affected by the works.

‘We’ve listened to the feedback from local communities and have decided to pause the start of phase two works to allow for the full reopening of the bridge over the winter period.’

Officials said pausing the works will bring a number of benefits including:

• a smoother and more efficient delivery of phase two works, due to better weather
• an alternative route, particularly for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes, if the Britannia Bridge (A55) is impacted by severe weather such as high winds, or incidents and emergencies
• improved local business opportunities, especially during the Christmas period
• Holyhead Port remaining operational for longer.
• enabling the Anglesey Half Marathon to use the bridge as part of its route.

The bridge, which links Anglesea to the mainland, was closed to all traffic in October 2022 after a 'structural concern' was identified by engineers and was then partially re-opened.