An investment pipeline published this week by the Welsh Government includes a £400m Third Menai Crossing, which has been paused since the administration included it in the remit of the independent Roads Review Panel.
A new dual carriageway between Deeside and the A55 in Flintshire, also reviewed by the panel, is also listed in the pipeline of projects which are said to have ‘a high probability of being delivered as described’.
The panel’s remit was to advise on whether 55 road schemes were compatible with the Welsh Government’s wider commitments, including on climate change. Its final report was delivered last summer to ministers, who have delayed publication from until early 2023.
Highways asked the Welsh Government whether the panel had recommended construction of a third bridge over the Menai Strait or the Flintshire dual carriageway.
A spokesman declined to answer but confirmed that both were ‘subject to the findings of the independent Roads Review’.
He said: ‘Decision-making will take into consideration the environmental impact of projects, and the affordability in light of the current economic situation. The results of the review will be published in the New Year.’
The spokesman added that, for the purpose of transparency, the new pipeline included reference to the legacy transport projects carried over from last year’s investment strategy. ‘Whilst the schemes presented are classed as priority projects, this does not represent a formal commitment from the Welsh Government,’ he said.
Llwybr Newydd, the administration’s new transport strategy, prioritises sustainable transport and reducing the need to travel. However, road construction accounts for at least 55% of the total estimated Welsh Government funding support for the transport projects in the new pipeline, which are for delivery by the government, as opposed to local authorities.
The new pipeline estimates the Third Menai Crossing’s cost at £400m, instead of £130m last year, and says it will be funded by the Welsh Government alone. Last year’s plan said external partners would contribute. The start date is now 2027 and end date 2029-20, compared with 2022 to 2026 in last year’s strategy.
The crossing’s appearance in the plan has delighted local politicians. The 1826 Menai Suspension Bridge was closed to vehicles in October for repairs, and will not reopen until next year. This has temporarily increased pressure on the other Menai Straits crossing, the A55 Britannia Bridge.
The new pipeline omits projects recommended in November 2020 by the Burns Commission as alternatives to the cancelled M4 Relief Road at Newport.
Explaining the omission, the Welsh Government spokesman said: ‘Many of the larger recommendations of Lord Burns are being developed into projects by a dedicated delivery unit in Transport for Wales. Funding is allocated for this development work and once it is sufficiently complete they can be costed and included in financial planning.’
