THE ISLE of Anglesey Council’s executive “must convince” the new Welsh Government that a third Menai crossing is essential for the future prosperity of North Wales.
Repairs and repeated closures of the 200-year-old Menai Suspension Bridge have caused major disruption over the past four years – most recently during the Urdd Eisteddfod.
The alternative crossing via the also ageing 175 year old Britannia Bridge has also seen closures and congestion, particularly during busy periods or bad weather.
Speaking at an executive meeting on Tuesday (July 21), council leader, councillor Gary Pritchard, said the purpose of discussing the report on the ‘Resilience of the Menai Crossing’ was about formally “raising awareness.”
The report called for the “vital need” for a third crossing over the Menai Strait to safeguard the island’s and wider North Wales region’s socio-economic future.
Among recommendations was to share details with Government Ministers, to discuss “a collaborative approach” and establish a proposed timetable for progress.
Cllr Pritchard added: “We are all aware of the issues but it’s important we formally share this report with all our partners,and highlight the fact that it is not only a huge frustration for us on the island but affects the whole of north Wales,” the council leader said.
“We need to show and try to convince the Government to look more closely at the resilience of the Menai Crossing, ” he said.
Securing support of partners, including partners such as the health board and emergency services, was “hugely important,” he added.
“I don’t need to tell the people of Anglesey how concerned we are…everyone feels the frustration at bridge closures,” Cllr Pritchard said.
“There’s frustration at the traffic congestion, the challenges it creates to Anglesey residents, to people travelling to and from the island.
“It is more than short delays, it means people miss hospital appointments, are late to work or sit in cars for hours…
“It doesn’t just affect our residents, it affects the island’s economy as well, with the Free Port and Gwyndod (the new nuclear reactor) if it comes.
Gwyndod Power Station is a proposed Small Modular Reactor (SMR) nuclear plant planned next to the decommissioned Wylfa site, the Anglesey Freeport is a zone with special tax and customs rules to help boost the North Wales economy.
He added: “We can’t over emphasis our frustration as councillors and as a council.”
“We talk about the old bridge and the new bridge, but the Britannia was built in 1850.
“We don’t know what challenges lie ahead in terms of that crossing.”
Lligwy Cllr Ieuan Williams said: “We are all aware, but from what I have seen on social media there’s a misunderstanding, people think we are not doing anything, but you have referred to our previous reports.”
Quoting the report, he said “The first sentence says, ‘the people of Anglesey and across north Wales have been let down for too long when it comes to the resilience of the Menai Crossings’.
“This new Welsh government says it will act with greater urgency and focus, as an executive and councillors we must ensure it sticks to those words and delivers.”
Deputy leader and local member for Aethwy, Cllr Robin Williams said locals had faced traffic problems “for years.”
“Two ways in and two ways out – that’s it. In Gwynedd, there are several ways in and out, but that’s not possible for Anglesey, we are an island, reliant on the bridges.”
Noting that the two hospitals at Holyhead and Llangefni were only for minor injuries, he said “our main hospital is in Gwynedd, we can see it from Menai Bridge, so that resilience is very important to us.
“The Welsh Government needs to do what it promised to do 10 years or more ago. Put your money where your mouth is! We need to see something happening as a matter of emergency.”
Seiriol ward Cllr Carwyn Jones added: “I know there were difficulties during the Urdd Eisteddfod.
“In a way it was good the problems happened then as people could see the issues we face on a regular basis.
“It would be good if the UK Highways and Welsh Government worked together, told us exactly what the work plan is. I think local people would benefit from more information.”
“I support this paper. We have been asking for this since 2013. Hopefully there will eventually be a long term solution for the people of Anglesey.”
