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Menai Bridge & Third Menai Crossing
Is this devolved to Wales?
Devolved
The necessary powers are not reserved to the UK Parliament in Schedule 7A of the Government of Wales Act 2006.
Shared Powers
Insert a specific explanation of the powers situation for this issue here.
Not Devolved
The powers over this are reserved to the UK Parliament in Schedule 7A of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (Specific Section/Number/Clause).
The Menai Bridge is 200 years old, while the (rebuilt) Britannia Bridge is around 50 years old. The Menai Bridge is showing its age, while both bridges fall short of modern trunk road standards.
In 2017, the Welsh Government drafted proposals for a third road bridge across the Menai Straight (“Third Menai Crossing”).
The preferred option was a bridge built east of the Britannia Bridge to carry the eastbound carriageway of the A551. Plans for a third crossing were dropped in 2023 under the previous Welsh Government’s new transport policy (“Llwybr Newydd”). This policy presumes against building new roads, opting to favour public transport improvements.
In 2022, the Welsh Government announced a programme of repairs to the Menai Bridge across two phases2, which requires its closure for certain periods. These are a mix of necessary structural repairs, and repairs associated with celebrating the bridge’s 200th anniversary.
The number and length of the closures have frustrated residents and businesses, though authorities have condemned abuse directed at bridge workers by drivers3.
A Commission was established to consider short-term and long-term options for the crossings, reporting back in December 20234.
In addition to the problems associated with the bridge’s age, the Menai Bridge only has a single carriageway road. The A55 dual carriageway narrows to a single carriageway to cross the Britannia Bridge too. Add closures and restrictions due to roadworks and high winds, and the two crossings act as a traffic bottleneck.
The Menai Bridge also has a 7.5 tonne weight limit during the current roadworks programme. Every time a vehicle over this weight limit crosses the bridge, the bridge needs to be closed for safety inspections, causing further delays.
A private company, UK Highways A55 Ltd, is responsible for maintenance of the Menai Bridge. This is because the A5 loop was included in a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract signed when the A55 dual carriageway was built across Anglesey in the 1990s. This contract expires in 2028.
In December 2023, it was estimated that 43,000 vehicles use the two crossings each day. The majority of traffic uses the Britannia Bridge, though around 11,000 vehicles use the Menai Bridge.
Charts (if needed)
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Souce text, source text, source text.
Costs & Economic Impact
Third Menai Crossing-
1.44 million spent by the Welsh Government on feasibility studies.
Who has raised this at the Senedd?
Rhun ap Iorwerth MS
First Minister
Mark Hooper MS
Deputy Minister for Transport
Adam Price MS
Enterprise & Energy Minister
Mair Rowlands MS
Co-Chair: Culture
Jason O'Connell MS
Shadow Economy Minister
Vikki Howells MS
Senedd Commissioner
Janet Finch-Saunders MS
Backbencher
Darren Millar MS
Conservative Group Leader
Rhun ap Iorwerth MS
First Minister
Mark Hooper MS
Deputy Minister for Transport
Adam Price MS
Enterprise & Energy Minister
Mair Rowlands MS
Co-Chair: Culture
Jason O'Connell MS
Shadow Economy Minister
Vikki Howells MS
Senedd Commissioner
Janet Finch-Saunders MS
Backbencher
Darren Millar MS
Conservative Group Leader
What are the party positions on this?
- Supports a third crossing
- Opposed
- Neutral/No Opinion
Plaid Cymru’s policy is to “look again” at a Third Menai Crossing, which has the apparent backing of backbenchers.
- Supports a third crossing
- Opposed
- Neutral/No Opinion
Reform UK supports a Third Menai Crossing as a matter of urgency.
- Supports upgrade works
- Opposed
- Neutral/No Opinion
Labour – who launched the current programme of works on the Menai Bridge whilst in government – supports that work. Their position on a Third Menai Crossing is unclear.
- Supports a third crossing
- Opposed
- Neutral/No Opinion
The Conservatives support a Third Menai Crossing in principle, believing the current issues are severely impacting the local economy.
- Supports
- Opposed
- Neutral/No Opinion
Green MSs haven’t said anything on this specifically.
- Supports
- Opposed
- Neutral/No Opinion
Jane Dodds hasn’t said anything on this specifically.
Who is responsible?
Mark Hooper MS
Deputy Minister for Transport
What have ministers said?
What's being done about this?
Plaid Cymru’s 2026 manifesto included a commitment to re-examine plans for a Third Menai Crossing. The Deputy Minister has repeated this commitment.
The previous Welsh Government launched a programme of works on the Menai Bridge across two phases.
The first phase was completed in October 2024. Phase 2 began in January 2026 and is ongoing.
The Deputy Minister told the Senedd in June 2026 that the Welsh Government is in discussions with North Wales Police and the DVSA on stronger enforcement of the 7.5 tonne weight limit.
Improved signals and variable speed limits are being considered for the Britannia Bridge to manage traffic when either of the two bridges is closed or restricted. Wind deflectors are also being considered to reduce the need for traffic restrictions during high winds.
Traffic orders issued by the Welsh Government may be needed as the trunk road network in Wales is controlled directly by the Welsh Government (not local councils).
The current bridge repair works are expected to be completed by spring 2027.
There is no timescale (yet) for improvements to the Britannia Bridge, or to take forward proposals for a Third Menai Crossing.
What have the Senedd's Committees said?
Nothing has been discussed yet.
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Relevant Votes
Nothing to see yet.
Further Reading
- Welsh Government (31st January 2023). “A55 Third Menai Crossing“
- Welsh Government (16th July 2026). “A5 Menai Bridge: Frequently Asked Questions“
- Rob Thomas, BBC Wales (29th July 2026). “Major bridge could close if staff get more abuse, motorists warned“
- North Wales Transport Commission (21st December 2023). “Menai Straight transport connections“
Related Issues
