The Welsh deputy minister for transport, Mark Hooper, held an urgent meeting to address ‘short-term issues' on the Menai Bridge following the recent closures caused by worker abuse and disregard for weight restrictions.

Mr Hooper met with the company responsible for the maintenance of the bridge, UK Highways A55, along with local authorities, trunk road agents and North Wales police to discuss ‘recent events, compliance issues, programme and community concerns around the Menai Suspension Bridge'. 

Regarding the recent compliance issues and staff abuse, he said: ‘The safety and welfare of everyone is our utmost priority. The recent behaviour directed at those working on site is completely unacceptable. No one should be harassed or abused whilst doing their job.

'I want to reassure everyone that we are exploring all possible options to minimise future unplanned closures on the bridge, including continuing discussions on camera technology and compliance measures and further engagement with partners on enforcement activity.'

He added: ‘We recognise the real and significant disruption being experienced by communities and businesses on both sides of the bridge. During the meeting concerns were raised about the level of public understanding around traffic management arrangements and the effectiveness of communication, on the whole, including signage and diversion messaging, as well as impacts on journey times for local people. 

‘There was clear agreement that all communications must improve, and I am committed to ensuring regular updates on the progress of the works being made and the challenges that remain are provided to the local community.'

While he did not announce any actions that were agreed during the meeting, Mr Hooper said that he will ‘remain in close contact with the senior management team at UK Highways A55' along with other partners ‘to make sure agreed actions from the meeting are taken forward at pace, delivery of the works stays on track, and any emerging issues are identified and addressed quickly.'

Updates and delays

This meeting comes as maintenance on the bridge faces further delays of up to a year. Phase 2 of maintenance works on the Menai Suspension Bridge is not expected to be completed until Spring 2027, over a year later than the original completion date of December 2025.

Maintenance work on the bridge has suffered a series of setbacks, including the discovery of additional engineering issues as well as procurement problems, which could now impact celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the structure this year. 

According to a statement issued by the Welsh Government last May, the works were most recently expected to be completed ahead of this summer in time for celebrations planned to coincide with the birthday of the bridge's original designer, Thomas Telford, on 9 August 2026.

However, when approached by Highways regarding the progress of the works, the Welsh Government said: 'Works are due to be completed in Spring 2027. The Phase Two programme is currently on schedule to be completed by then.'

This is not the first delay that these works have faced.

The work was originally scheduled to begin in 2023, but a potential defect with the hangers was discovered, which forced their immediate replacement. This became Phase 1 of the maintenance works, with the original plan becoming Phase 2, which was postponed until after the hangers were replaced.

Phase 1 works were completed in October 2024, and the bridge was reopened over the winter period to give ‘much-needed resilience to the area' during winter storms and high winds that impacted the Britannia Bridge.

Phase 2 of the work on the Grade I listed structure was apparently expected to be completed around the start of this year in time for the bridge's 200th anniversary, but UK Highways A55 informed the Welsh Government that the scheme was unlikely to be completed until Spring 2026 due to a ‘procurement issue'.

At the time, the Welsh Government stated that it was ‘extremely disappointed' and acknowledged that ‘this news will be very disappointing for the community and others', but added that UK Highways A55 would ‘ensure they are completed for the summer period'.

UK Highways A55 declined to comment.