July 29, 2026 - 261 views
Motorists have been warned that further abuse and intimidation of workers carrying out safety checks on the Menai Suspension Bridge could result in the historic crossing being closed altogether.
The warning comes after traffic management was temporarily suspended on Monday evening following an incident in which workers were subjected to abuse and harassment from a member of the public.
UK Highways A55 Ltd, which operates and maintains the bridge on behalf of the Welsh Government, said the welfare of its staff had been placed at risk, forcing the company to withdraw workers until it was safe for them to return. Traffic management resumed the following day.
The company said hostility towards staff had become an increasingly common feature of the bridge's ongoing Phase Two maintenance programme and warned that any further incidents would be reported to North Wales Police.
A spokesperson said the safety of workers and subcontractors would always remain the highest priority.
The latest incident comes as frustration continues to grow over restrictions on the nearly 200-year-old suspension bridge, which links Anglesey with Gwynedd and carries thousands of vehicles every day.
A 7.5-tonne weight limit remains in force after engineers discovered defects in the bridge's suspension hangers – the critical components that support the suspension chains and roadway. Repair work is expected to continue until 2027.
As part of the safety measures, heavy goods vehicles over the weight limit must use the nearby Britannia Bridge instead, while traffic on the Menai Bridge is controlled by temporary signals and staff who monitor larger vehicles before allowing them to cross.
Highway officials say those checks are essential because any overweight vehicle crossing the bridge requires an immediate precautionary inspection to ensure no structural damage has occurred.
Earlier this week, one driver claimed their vehicle weighed 6.8 tonnes and was therefore within the legal limit. However, investigations by the Traffic Wales Control Room later established the vehicle actually weighed around 15 tonnes – more than double the permitted maximum.
Traffic Wales reminded drivers that the restriction is in place for public safety and warned that ignoring it is a criminal offence. The agency also urged motorists to show respect to workers carrying out the checks, adding that abusive behaviour towards staff would not be tolerated.
UK Highways A55 Ltd also responded to criticism circulating on social media after footage of Monday's incident was shared online. The company said workers seen using mobile phones were not distracted from their duties but were using specialist systems to verify vehicle weights and check information needed to keep the bridge safe.
The latest problems are another chapter in what has been a turbulent few years for one of North Wales' most important transport links.
Designed by renowned Scottish engineer Thomas Telford and opened in 1826, the Menai Suspension Bridge was the world's first major suspension bridge and remains one of Wales' most iconic pieces of engineering.
However, its bicentenary year has been overshadowed by continuing structural concerns.
In October 2022, the bridge was closed without warning after serious issues were discovered with its hangers, severing one of only two road connections between Anglesey and the mainland. The closure caused months of disruption for residents, commuters, businesses and emergency services, with traffic diverted onto the already congested Britannia Bridge.
Although the bridge eventually reopened to most traffic under strict weight restrictions, engineers have continued to identify further repairs requiring lengthy maintenance work. Local businesses have repeatedly voiced concerns about the impact on tourism and trade, while residents have endured congestion, longer journey times and uncertainty over future restrictions.
Officials say the current programme of inspections and repairs is essential to preserve the Grade I listed structure for future generations.
But they have warned that maintaining safe access depends on motorists obeying the restrictions and treating frontline workers with respect.
They added that any further abuse placing workers at risk could leave them with no option but to suspend operations again, potentially forcing another closure of the bridge until it is safe to resume.
