The Menai Suspension Bridge in north Wales is set to reopen next month. Works to reopen the bridge, which links Anglesey to mainland Wales, to a limited weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes began in the first week of January and is set to be completed on schedule.
After four weeks of work the bridge is expected to reopen to restricted loads by midnight on Thursday, February 2. It comes after the bridge was unexpectedly closed and urgent repairs to its iron hangers began in October of last year. Since then all traffic has been diverted to the neighbouring Britannia Bridge leaving only pedestrians and cyclists to use the closed bridge.
By the end of November the Welsh Government announced a support package aimed at easing transport woes for people travelling to and from Anglesey. Some Menai Bridge business owners had also called for "urgent support" following the closure's impact on their trade.
Read more: Independent businesses are closing with others at 'bursting point' following Welsh bridge closure
In December it was confirmed that a third crossing over the Menai Strait was on the Welsh Government's project pipeline with work potentially set to start in 2027. A new bridge between Anglesey and Gwynedd has been on the agenda for years but came to focus with the recent temporary closure of the historic bridge.
According to the Welsh Government they are working closely with UK Highways A55 Ltd alongside engineering firms Spencer Group and COWI to develop a plan for "longer-term remedial" work to take place and with "minimal disruption" to bring the Menai Suspension Bridge back to full capacity. This work is anticipated to start in late summer, according to the government.
In a statement released on Friday the deputy minister for climate change with responsibility for transport Lee Waters said: "Despite the challenging weather conditions I am pleased that we’ve been able to complete this extremely important and complex piece of remedial work on time. I would like to thank the local community and everybody that has been affected by the closure of the bridge for their patience during this time."
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