Workers undertaking essential repairs on the 200-year-old Menai Bridge have been withdrawn from the site due to safety concerns following confrontations with members of the public. UK Highways A55 Ltd., the company responsible for the bridge's maintenance, stated that further abuse towards staff could result in the bridge's closure.
"The latest incident placed the welfare and safety of operatives at risk so the decision was taken to pause operations," a spokesperson for UK Highways A55 Ltd. said. The company reported that abuse has become a "common feature" during the ongoing repair work, and harassment will now be referred to North Wales Police.
Recent incidents have included vehicles ignoring the directions of operatives and crossing the bridge. The company also noted that any overweight vehicle crossing the bridge necessitates a precautionary check to assess potential damage. One vehicle was found to weigh 15 tonnes despite the driver claiming it was under 7 tonnes.
Repairs to the bridge's hangers, which support the suspension chains and roadway, were identified as necessary, and work is expected to continue until 2027. Since the need for these upgrades was identified, lorries weighing over 7.5 tonnes have been rerouted, and checks, along with traffic lights, have been installed on the bridge to manage traffic flow and enforce weight restrictions.