Welsh Govt gives go-ahead to third Menai crossing

Making good on promises made in June, deputy minister for transport Mark Hooper has told the Senedd that development work for a new bridge linking Anglesey to Gwynedd would recommence immediately.

“People on Ynys Môn and across the North of Wales have waited a long time for greater certainty about the future of the crossings,” Hooper said.

“Today, we are setting out a clear way forward, with action to improve the resilience of the existing crossings while immediately beginning work to develop a third crossing.”

A third crossing of the Menai Strait has had its series of ups and downs, with more than a decade of development work taking place before the project was abandoned in 2023.

This pre-2023 version of the bridge had a £400m price tag when it was ditched and consisted of four lanes situated east of Britannia Bridge. AECOM and Richards had led that consultant team.

It is their work that the Welsh Government will now resurrect, with additional steps being undertaken regarding design, environmental assessment, and the development of the business case.

In the meantime, Hooper said his government would invest in the existing suspension bridge and Britannia Bridge, ensuring that they continue to be safe for travellers. Britannia Bridge would, in particular, receive support for the installation of wind deflectors and the introduction of variable speed limits.

“People want action, not endless discussion,” Hooper said.

“They want reliable journeys, less disruption and confidence that government is getting on with improving things and making a difference to people’s lives. And that’s exactly what we’re doing.”