A Welsh Senedd petition calling for the construction of a new crossing over the Menai Strait has attracted more than 2,000 signatures in just two days, amid growing frustration over repeated closures of the historic Menai Suspension Bridge.
The petition had reached 2,247 signatures by Saturday morning, comfortably exceeding the threshold required for consideration by the Senedd’s Petitions Committee, says Nation Cymru. If it reaches 10,000 signatures, it could be considered for debate in the Senedd.
The surge in support follows a week of disruption caused by multiple closures of the 200-year-old bridge after overweight vehicles breached the temporary 7.5-tonne weight limit, triggering mandatory safety inspections.
Residents, commuters and visitors faced lengthy delays, with the closures coinciding with the Urdd Eisteddfod on Ynys Môn, one of the busiest weeks of the year for the island.
The petition argues that the two existing crossings between Anglesey and the mainland are no longer sufficient.
It states: “Although beautiful, the existing crossings require almost constant maintenance and regularly prove to be insufficient. The network dangerously lacks resilience.
“A new modern bridge, designed to suit its surroundings, would provide long term improvement to the network’s resilience, and provide opportunities for active travel, tourism, culture, and economic growth.”
Most support has come from north-west Wales, with the largest number of signatures recorded in the Bangor Conwy Môn constituency, followed by Gwynedd Maldwyn.
Deputy Minister for Transport Mark Hooper said this week that communities had been “let down for too long” by problems affecting the crossings.
He said:
“This new Welsh Government will act with greater urgency and focus. We have already begun work within government, with a view to ensuring short-term measures and long-term solutions for resilience across the Menai Strait. We will be setting out our plans for this shortly.
“Communities on both sides of the Strait deserve reliable connections, and we are determined to provide them.”
(Picture: Traffic Wales)
