Anglesey: Menai Bridge will reopen next week after repairs

Menai Bridge was closed suddenly over "serious" risks to public safety

An historic bridge which connects Anglesey to the mainland is on track to reopen at the end of next week.

The Menai Suspension Bridge was closed suddenly in October over "serious" safety risks.

Temporary repair work began on 5 January and was due to take about four weeks.

The Welsh government has confirmed that the bridge is expected to reopen to restricted loads by midnight on 2 February.

The deputy minister for climate change 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."

Posting to Twitter on Friday morning, Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd (MS) for Ynys Môn, said the bridge would reopen with a 7.5 tonne (7,500kg) limit.

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He added: "Permanent work yet to be scheduled, but likely to involve traffic lights and single lane operation, not closure."

The Welsh government said it is working with UK Highways A55 Ltd, as well as engineering firms Spencer Group and COWI, to develop a plan for longer term remedial work to take place, with minimal disruption.

This work is anticipated to start in late summer.

The recommendation to close the bridge to all traffic was made in October by structural engineers.

The sudden closure of the bridge, which was completed in 1826 and designed by Thomas Telford, came after tests discovered problems with the bridge's hangers.

It put significant traffic pressure on Britannia Bridge, the only other crossing to Anglesey, which was also closed periodically for scheduled maintenance.

The first Menai Bridge was built in the early 19th Century

Anglesey businesses said the closure of the bridge was "a nightmare" for them, particularly in the run-up to Christmas.

The Welsh government introduced a package of support for businesses, which has remained in place throughout the works.