The Menai Suspension Bridge, a 200-year-old landmark connecting the Welsh mainland to Anglesey, has once again been thrust into the spotlight—this time, for all the wrong reasons. On Saturday, October 4, 2025, at exactly 2pm, the bridge was abruptly closed to all traffic after engineers uncovered troubling issues with bolts on beams beneath the iconic structure. The closure, ordered by the Welsh Government, has left local residents, business owners, and commuters grappling with frustration and uncertainty, as officials scramble to ensure safety while seeking a swift resolution.
For many in north Wales, the Menai Suspension Bridge isn’t just a feat of engineering; it’s a lifeline. Linking the island of Anglesey to the mainland, it’s a vital artery for daily commutes, business deliveries, and emergency services. The bridge’s sudden closure was announced with little warning, echoing a similar scenario from 2022, when serious safety concerns first came to light and forced a four-month shutdown. Since then, maintenance has been ongoing, with the first phase completed in October 2024, temporarily restoring traffic flow and offering a glimmer of hope to weary locals.
But that hope was short-lived. According to BBC News, the latest closure came after engineers, during routine phase two maintenance works, identified that several bolts on beams beneath the bridge required urgent replacement. The Welsh Government initially attempted to keep the bridge open to cars and motorcyclists, imposing a three-tonne weight limit just a day before the full closure. However, feedback from UK Highways A55—the body responsible for the bridge’s upkeep—highlighted difficulties in enforcing these restrictions. Ultimately, the decision was made to close the bridge entirely, prioritizing public safety above all else.
Transport Secretary Ken Skates, who has been at the center of the unfolding situation, offered a candid apology to the community. “Firstly, I want to apologise to local people. I am deeply sorry for the ongoing disruption that you are facing as work continues to remediate the bridge,” he said, as reported by Deeside.com. Skates didn’t hide his own exasperation, adding, “I am incredibly frustrated at this latest development, and I can assure you that my officials and I are pressing UK Highways A55 for an early resolution to this issue.”
The closure’s impact is already being felt far and wide. All vehicles are now being rerouted to the nearby Britannia Bridge, the only other road link between Anglesey and the mainland. For many, this detour adds significant time to their journeys. Huw Roberts, a local resident, summed up the mood: “The main problem is getting to and from Bangor—we now have to do a four mile detour over the Britannia Bridge. That bridge, when the ships come into Holyhead... the traffic is horrible. It will take half an hour, three quarters to get to Bangor instead of ten minutes.”
Business owners are similarly dismayed. Tomos Mather, who lives and works in the area, told BBC News, “Work has been going on for three years. If it was so severe they had to close it so quickly, you’d have thought they’d have found that over the past three years.” The sentiment is echoed by many who feel that, despite years of ongoing repairs and repeated assurances, the bridge’s problems seem never-ending.
These feelings of frustration and fatigue are not limited to everyday commuters. Rhun ap Iorwerth, Member of the Senedd for Ynys Môn, expressed his concern: “Whilst safety must be the top priority, it’s unacceptable that the bridge has been closed again with little to no warning—just as it was nearly three years ago. People on Ynys Môn have been waiting years for this work to be completed, and their patience is running out.”
Looking back, the Menai Suspension Bridge has faced a rocky road in recent years. Serious safety issues were first identified in 2022, leading to a sudden closure that lasted four months. Maintenance work, which began in September 2023, has been a persistent source of delays and detours for those traveling between Anglesey and the mainland. The completion of the first phase in October 2024 allowed for a brief period of normalcy, but phase two—encompassing full repainting and preservation—was always slated to continue until spring 2026. The bridge had remained open during this second phase, until the most recent, urgent findings forced another shutdown.
Officials have stressed that emergency arrangements are in place. Should the Britannia Bridge—now the sole route—become impassable due to high winds, contingency plans will ensure emergency services can still operate. “Emergency service vehicle arrangements are in place should the Britannia Bridge be affected by high winds,” confirmed the Welsh Government, as reported by Deeside.com and News from North Wales.
The government’s decision to close the bridge entirely was not made lightly. “We have explored every option to keep the bridge open safely but following this latest feedback on enforcement from UK Highways A55, who are responsible for the maintenance of the bridge, our hand has been forced to introduce a full closure,” said Ken Skates. He also thanked the police for their support over the past 24 hours and reassured the public that officials are pressing for a safe enforcement strategy to reopen the bridge and move forward with phase two works.
For now, the bridge will remain closed until further investigations are completed in the coming days. The Welsh Government has promised to keep the public updated and is working closely with UK Highways A55 to develop a plan for safely reopening the bridge. “Despite all our frustrations, we must listen to the advice from engineers to ensure the safety of everyone,” Skates emphasized.
The Menai Suspension Bridge’s troubles have become something of a saga for the people of north Wales. Each new closure brings renewed inconvenience, economic strain, and a sense of déjà vu. Yet, for all the disruption, there is a shared understanding—however begrudging—that safety must come first. As the community waits for answers and a path forward, the hope is that this latest setback will finally prompt a lasting solution, allowing the Menai Suspension Bridge to once again fulfill its role as a reliable link between Anglesey and the mainland.
