· To receive the following Notice of Motion by Councillor Jeff Evans: -
‘We as a Group, Annibynwyr Mon call on Anglesey County Council to take all measures possible to apply pressure on Welsh Government to re-open the Menai Suspension Bridge as a matter of urgency.
This closure took effect without prior consultation or notification with the
County Council.’
· To receive the following Notice of Motion by Councillor Sonia Williams: -
‘The Council is seriously concerned about the lack of resilience of the
two current crossings over the Menai Straits which has once again
been highlighted following the recent complete closure of Menai Suspension Bridge which has left one crossing only.
We are also expressing disappointment in Welsh Government in relation to their lack of holding contractors to account and their unwillingness to consider the links between Anglesey and the mainland and the effects on the residents and communities of the Island.
We ask Welsh Government to step in to offer support to the businesses of the town of Menai Bridge, who have suffered a great deal as a result of the problems with the Bridge over the last 3 years. The hospitality businesses especially have suffered following the overnight closure of the bridge.’
Minutes:
Submitted the following Notice of Motion by Councillor Kenneth P Hughes:-
‘ We as a Group, Annibynwyr Môn call on Anglesey County Council to take all measures possible to apply pressure on Welsh Government to re-open the Menai Suspension Bridge as a matter of urgency.
This closure took effect without prior consultation or notification with the County Council.’
Councillor Kenneth P Hughes said that matters have progressed since the Annibynwyr Môn Group submitted the Motion. He said that the Group supports the amended Motion submitted by Councillor Sonia Williams as noted below.
Councillor Derek Owen seconded the Motion.
The amendment to the Notice of Motion by Councillor Sonia Williams was as follows:-
‘We as a Council are pleading with Welsh Government to communicate with the County Council and citizens regarding any maintenance work undertaken on the bridge and the bridge will not close without notice in the future.
The Council is seriously concerned about the lack of resilience of the two current crossings over the Menai Stratis which has once again been highlighted following the recent complete closure of the Menai Suspension Bridge which has left one crossing only.
We are also expressing disappointment in Welsh Government in relation to their lack of holding contractors to account and their unwillingness to consider the links between Anglesey and the mainland and the effects on the residents and communities of the Island.
We ask Welsh Government to step in to offer support to the businesses of the town of Menai Bridge, who have suffered a great deal as a result of the problems with the Bridge over the last 3 years. The hospitality businesses especially have suffered following the overnight closure of the bridge.’
Councillor Robin Williams seconded the amendment.
The amendment to the Motion was unanimously carried following a vote.
Councillor Dyfed W Jones said that it was accepted that the Menai Suspension Bridge had to be closed due to safety concerns recently, however, uncertainties cause problems to people that need to cross the bridge to the mainland to work, and businesses have also been affected by the sudden closure. He noted that numerous briefing sessions have been conducted since 2022 as regards to maintenance and closure of the bridge but there is still lack of communication by Welsh Government with the Council. He expressed strongly that Welsh Government and the Contractors appointed to carry out the maintenance work on the bridge, needs to communicate fully with the Council to avoid such situations of sudden closure of the bridge without prior notice.
The Leader of the Council expressed that he was pleased to see unity across the political groups as regards to a matter that is important to the Council and the residents of Anglesey who are frustrated and concerned due to the uncertainties whether the Menai Suspension Bridge will be open or sudden closure, without notice, that has occurred recently. He said that Welsh Government are responsible for the bridge and should be answerable to the continued disruptions to residents and local businesses. The Council, the Assembly Member and the Member of Parliament have continued to put pressure on Welsh Government as regards to the resilience of the crossing over the bridge to the mainland. Discussions have undertaken with the Minister for Transport and North Wales - Mr Ken Skates AM as to the problems that occurs with uncertainties with the bridge. Discussions have also been undertaken with the Head of the North Wales Fire & Rescue Service as the southern part of the Island is dependent on the Fire Service from Bangor.
Councillor Carwyn Jones said that he agreed with the comments by the respective Members and noted that he is aware of the work undertaken by the Leader and the Deputy Leader and the Local Members to put pressure on Welsh Government and UK Highways Ltd., as regards to the resilience of the bridge. He expressed that Welsh Government needs to afford a timescale for the maintenance work on the Menai Suspension Bridge as people need to cross the bridge to hospital appointments, work and to schools and the train station in Bangor.
The Chief Executive said that the Menai Suspension Bridge is nearly 200 years old and monitoring of such structures are a statutory requirement with checks needed to be undertaken every 10 years and other checks every year; report on the structure should be made available
The Leader of the Council responded that a letter has been sent to the Minister for Transport and North Wales requesting details of the work required on the bridge and to ascertain as to how such a situation has occurred with the bridge. He noted that assurances have been requested that the required checks have been undertaken on the bridge. He further said that the Member of Parliament has raised questions in the House of Commons that there needs to be a review on the timeframe of 10 years to carry out checks on such a structure as the bridge.
Councillor Sonia Williams said that it is imperative that the Menai Suspension Bridge is safe but there is concern by local businesses in Menai Bridge as to sudden closure of the bridge. She noted that questions were asked to a Welsh Minister at a recent meeting as regards to the timeframe for the maintenance work on the bridge, but no definite response was given as to when the bridge will be open completely.
Councillor Douglas Fowlie ascertained whether the Council would be willing to give a rebate on business rates to local businesses in Menai Bridge.
The Portfolio Member for Finance, Corporate Business & Customer Experience responded that the Council is an agent for Welsh Government as regards to business rates. The funding from the business rates is forwarded to Welsh Government which thereafter is distributed to local government per formula which is used for the yearly financial settlement. He noted that most of the businesses do not pay the business rates as they are under the threshold. The Leader of the Council said that discussions have been undertaken with local businesses since 2022 and free parking in Menai Bridge car parks have been afforded to give assistance to these businesses to encourage people to visit the town of Menai Bridge.
Councillor Robin Williams further said that serious questions needs to be undertaken of the contractor appointed to carry out the checks on the bridge as work has been ongoing since 2022; the sudden closure of the bridge resulted in the bolts missing under the bridge and it was considered that the bridge should have been examined thoroughly after the bridge was initially closed in 2022 to identify the problems with the bridge. Members of the Council expressed deep concerns as to sudden closure of the bridge due to bolts being missing under the bridge and heavy vehicles having travelled over the bridge for the last 3 years. The Head of Highways, Property and Waste clarified that the bolts under the beams of the bridge needed to be replaced as they had rusted and the bolts were not missing. He noted that a letter was sent to Welsh Government requesting assurance that the assessment on the bridge undertaken every 2 years had been completed so that the Council can be confident that a thorough assessment procedure is in place. He further said that questions have also been raised with Welsh Government whether heavy vehicles should be crossing the bridge; at present there is a restriction of vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes which are able to cross the bridge.
Councillor Derek Owen ascertained whether the assessment is undertaken on the Britannia Bridge. The Head of Highways, Property and Waste responded that Britannia Bridge is owned by Network Rail and questioned have been asked for evidence of the detailed assessments undertaken on Britannia Bridge.
The Chief Executive said that difficulties were encountered to receive any financial support for local businesses by Welsh Government following the previous closure of Menai Suspension Bridge. The businesses would need to prove loss of income and only during the closure of the bridge; the partial opening of the bridge is considered that the bridge is functional. He assured that continued engagement will be undertaken with Welsh Government to secure funding for local businesses that have been affected.
Councillor Pip O’Neill said that Cybi Business Forum attained financial support following the closure of the Port of Holyhead due to the damage to the berthing structure. The Leader responded that the Cybi Business Forum gather evidence to Welsh Government as to the financial hardship due to the damage to the berthing at the Port of Holyhead. He noted that similar work is undertaken in the Aethwy Ward as to the effect on businesses in Menai Bridge due to the sudden closure of the Menai Suspension Bridge recently.
Councillor Jeff Evans expressed deep concerns as to the condition of the Menai Suspension Bridge and the need for sudden closure due to rusting bolts under the bridge. He questioned whether businesses have faith in locating on the Island and especially the potential of the Freeport status. He said that Welsh Government must realise that a third bridge is required. The Fire & Rescue Service are having to locate an additional fire engine in Menai Bridge as there are uncertainties whether the bridges will be accessible. The Leader responded that the Minister for Transport and North Wales is aware of the concerns over the resilience of the crossings across the Menai Straits. The Authority must have confidence that businesses will invest on the Island, and the Freeport will improve the economy and that the Wylfa site will be developed. Further questions were raised as to the procedure for stacking HGVs on the Island if the bridges are closed. The Leader responded that a stacking plan is in place, but the Authority considers that such plan is not resilient enough and discussions are currently undertaken to strengthen the stacking plan which is acceptable to the communities of Anglesey. Discussions are also undertaken with Gwynedd Council as to their procedure of stacking vehicles on the mainland.
The Chief Executive said that the third bridge across the Menai Straits has been included within the North Wales Regional Transport Plan, and it will drive the investment of transport in the region. The Leader explained that the North Wales Regional Transport Plan was adopted by this Council and in the Regional Board; the resilience of the bridge was identified as one of the main challenges within the Plan. The Leader said that he is a Member of the Irish Sea Resilience Taskforce led by Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Mr Ken Skates AM alongside the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Ms Rebecca Evans AM and the Irish Government Minister for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Mr Sean Canney together with Officer’s from both Governments. The Taskforce will work to improve the resilience of sea connections and road infrastructure.
Councillor Sonia Williams reiterated that Welsh Government needs to hold the contractors who carry out the examination and maintenance of the Menai Suspension Bridge to account and the effect it has had on the businesses in Menai Bridge.
The Motion as amended was carried as follows :-
· The Annibynwyr Môn Group call on Anglesey County Council to take all measures possible to apply pressure on Welsh Government to re-open the Menai Suspension Bridge as a matter of urgency.
· This closure took effect without prior consultation or notification with the County Council.
· The Council is seriously concerned about the lack of resilience of the two current crossing over the Menai Straits which has once again been highlighted following the recent complete closure of the Menai Suspension Bridge which has left one crossing only.
· The Council is disappointed in Welsh Government in relation to their lack of holding contractors to account and their unwillingness to consider the links between Anglesey and the mainland and the effects on the residents and communities of the Island.
· Welsh Government be asked to step in to offer support to businesses of the town of Menai Bridge, who have suffered a great deal as a result of the problems with the Bridge over the last 3 years. The hospitality businesses especially have suffered following the overnight closure of the bridge.