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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Owen Hughes

Menai Strait £130m bridge project under threat after nuclear plant suspension

A multi-million pound bridge crossing between Gwynedd and Anglesey is under threat.

Welsh Government last year announced a preferred route for a third bridge crossing over the Menai Strait - with construction due to start in 2021.

But that is now at risk after Japanese firm Hitachi suspended its £12bn nuclear plant on Anglesey.

Welsh Government Economy and Transport minister Ken Skates has now said making a business case for the bridge without the nuclear scheme was "difficult".

Possible designs for the third crossing for the Menai bridge - balanced cantilever design (Welsh Government)

He said it was not being taken off the agenda completely but that the original case was based on the increase in traffic associated with the construction of the £12bn nuclear plant.

Talking about the impact of the stalled Wylfa Newydd scheme, Mr Skates told North Wales Live: "It does not rule out a third crossing but it makes the business case more difficult.

"The business case for a third crossing was being considered based on the additional traffic associated with the construction of Wylfa Newydd.

"A business case has to stack up - we have to account for the money we spend on infrastructure projects.

"That business case is not as strong without Wylfa Newydd."

As well as strengthening the business case due to increased traffic there was also the potential of power cables being carried on the bridge with National Grid helping fund the major infrastructure scheme.

Ken Skates AM, Cabinet Member for Economy and Transport (David Powell)

Wylfa Newydd is still going through the planning process with the Uk Government - with a final decision deferred until next year.

Even if it is successful it will only happen if a funding deal is agreed between the UK Government and Hitachi.

Mr Skates was talking to Business Live after the launch of a tranche of

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