Rhun ap Iorwerth, Member of the Senedd for Ynys Môn has once again raised concerns with the Deputy Minister for Climate Change about the need the address the lack of resilience in transport links across the Menai strait.
In his question to Lee Waters today (27/9/23), Rhun ap Iorwerth referred to the idea of implementing a three-lane peak flow system on Britannia Bridge as a “rapid deployment interim measure” that could help alleviate traffic concerns and mitigate the impact of the partial closure of Menai suspension bridge for the next 18 months at least, and expressed his disappointment that the Deputy Minister had said that type of scheme would take years to implement. He said that it currently as if the Welsh Government has given up on doing anything for the long term to help with the resilience of the Menai crossing”.
He also conveyed concerns that Lord Burns’ North Wales Transport Commission, who have been tasked by Welsh Government to look at Menai crossing resilience issues, does not have a wide enough remit to offer substantive solutions. Rhun ap Iorwerth concluded by saying he feared that Welsh Government “is giving us nothing here that shows us that [they are] serious about making real changes for the long term”.
Following the exchange in the Senedd, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said:
“The complete closure of the Menai suspension bridge last year, and its partial closure for the next 18 months, clearly highlights the lack of resilience in our Menai crossings. I’m incredibly disappointed with the response so far - it feels as if the Welsh Government has given up on doing anything for the long term to help.
“As a rapid deployment interim measure, I’ve been calling for the implementation of a three-lane traffic flow system on the Britannia bridge. I’ve no doubt that improving traffic flow across the Britannia would be a step in the right direction in improving the resilience of our Menai crossings in the short term, which is why I’ve been making the case that it should be introduced at the earliest convenience. I’ve now been told that it would take years to implement. Where is the intention to try to get to grips with the problems that we are facing now?
“Doing nothing is not an option. Arriva have this week implemented cuts to bus services across Ynys Môn – and the lack of resilience in our Menai crossings is quoted as one reason for that decision. The Deputy Minister tells me that he’s keen to consider the North Wales Transport Commission’s recommendations to improve resilience in the first instance, but I fear that it doesn't have a wide enough remit. We’re being given nothing here that shows us that the Government is serious about making real changes for the long term.
On the need for an additional third crossing, Rhun ap Iorwerth added:
"I’m clear that the decision to scrap the third Menai crossing project needs to be looked at again, and I will continue to make that case - Ynys Môn cannot afford the risk of being isolated."