Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development.

The report of the Head of Regulation and Economic Development incorporating the Improving the Reliability and the Resilience Across the Menai Straits was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Leader, and Portfolio Member for Economic Development reported that the North Wales Transport Commission (NWTC) was established following the Welsh Governments decision to cancel the construction of a potential third crossing across the Menai Straits.  She said that there are two fundamental concerns with the findings of the NWTC. Firstly, it does not consider options for improving the resilience of connections across the Menai Straits since the option for improving the infrastructure for vehicles appears to have been ruled out at the onset and secondly this leads to recommendations that are completely inadequate for addressing the challenges facing Anglesey and the wider area.  The recommendations will either have limited effect in improving connectivity across the Menai Straits or have serious delivery risks/uncertainties (including having already been ruled out).  The Leader further said that she considers that the NWTC have not considered the real lack of resilience of the two bridges across the Menai Straits for the people of Anglesey as regards to access to Ysbyty Gwynedd, education establishments, travelling to work and it could have consequences with regards to safety and lives if closure of both bridges were to occur.  She further said that there are examples that pupils have missed out on examinations due to the closure of the bridges. 

The Leader said that it is important that the report is shared with the Assembly Members of the region to support the Councils’ position for the benefit of the North Wales region.  She suggested that she should write to the new First Minister of Welsh Government, when appointed, to express expressing the Authority’s concerns as to the reliability and resilience across the Menai Straits.

The Chief Economic Development Officer said that the recommendations within the NWTC report will not solve the resilience across the Menai Straits and it is hampering the Island’s ability to attract businesses and economic activity and especially the Freeport status the Island has been able to secure. 

Councillor Dafydd R Thomas, Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Property said that the NWTC has not considered the needs of the Island to travel to and from the mainland.  The resilience of the bridges is important for the economy, tourism and for goods being able to travel to and from Holyhead Port. 

Members of the Executive said that it must be considered that the Menai Suspension Bridge will be 200 years old in two-year time and the Britannia Bridge is 175 years old.  The Menai Suspension Bridge is currently the subject of emergency works due to its age, resulting in reduced capacity and will continue until at least 2025.  It was expressed that any accident that might occur on the bridges would have a detrimental effect on the highway network.  The Executive referred to the Freeport status and there will be a need to have goods travelling freely across the North Wales highway corridor.  

It was RESOLVED :-

·         That the Chief Executive formally writes to Welsh Government appealing that they change their policy position on the Menai Straits crossing and recognise the need to resolve the inadequacies and lack of resilience that exists;

·         That the Chief Executive shares reports with regional Senedd Members in Wales, partners and stakeholders to influence and for them to support the Councils position for the benefit of the North Wales region;

·         That the Leader of the Council formally writes the new First Minister, when appointed, expressing the Authority’s concerns as to the reliability and resilience across the Menai Straits.