The vulnerability of Anglesey should both bridges linking the island to the mainland close at the same time has come under scrutiny. Contingency plans should the Britannia or Menai Suspension bridges shut individually were made 12 years ago – but there was “no plan” should both close simultaneously – an Anglesey County County Council committee heard.
But work was now “progressing” to develop an updated plan, corporate scrutiny members were told on Wednesday (January 15.) Concerns had been raised including getting “blue lights over the bridge” and dealing with HGV “stacking” – as seen during the Holyhead Port closure.
The Menai bridge closed for for four months back in October, 2022, after serious safety concerns were identified during a technical analysis. The council’s chief executive, Dylan Williams, had written to the chair of the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) asking for a focus on the bridges issue and called for support from multiple agencies. The issue was discussed as the council scrutiny committee was asked to note the progress of the North Wales Council’s regional emergency planning service work, 2023/24.
The North Wales Council has responsibilities for emergency planning and response under the Civil Contingencies Acts 2004, the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001, and the Pipeline Safety Regulations 1996.
The A55 Britannia Bridge is the main Menai Strait crossing
(Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live)
It is the principal responder and meets its responsibility through collaboration with North Wales local authorities and the North Wales Council’s regional emergency planning service (NWCREPS) which had presented its annual report. According to the emergency planning report for 2023/24:
“There were contingency plans for the bridges closing on a singular basis – but the only plan for both closing simultaneously was dated 2011. Work has been ongoing over the past year regarding bridge closure contingency planning. It follows the council’s chief executive raising the issue with the local resilience forum..”
A scrutiny committee report said “a task and finish group was established, chaired by NMWTRA (North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent), NWCREPS, organised with Welsh Government (WG) and multiple agencies to investigate what the Government’s role was in such a scenario and what work was being done to mitigate the risk.” It concluded that “work is progressing and it is expected a plan will be in place before the end of the year.”
The responding emergency planning officer for the county council, Jon Zalot, told the meeting that since the CEO had written, a group within LRF was looking at the bridge situation.
He reiterated: “There was a plan for when the Britannia Bridge closes and when the Menai Suspension bridge closes, but there was no plan for when both bridges are closed. We elected a chair to look at that subject, unfortunately they were too busy, so they asked me personally. I have been dealing with the subject for the past six months.
“Because the plan was over 10 years old there was a lot of updating to do. We have had a chance to get everyone around the table. Once the document had been finished in November, we put it into practice, made sure it was fit for purpose, we did this at the business centre, again all the agencies came around the table..
“If both bridges were to close for just one or two hours or 24 hours or even onger, a lot of problems will arise. One of the biggest things is how to get the blue lights over, but that depends on what happens and what has caused the bridges to close. But we are quite sure that the document we have now would be effective.
“The police are now chairing another group to look at what would happen with lorries. There aren’t many options, unfortunately Parc Cybi is open in Holyhead, but that only holds 60 lorries. We are still looking at options, the Welsh Government is working with us but a lot of work is ahead.” He added.
CEO Dylan Williams said: “In terms of planning for an emergency our response is more stable than it was a year ago. We still have weakness in the stacking plan. I can’t understand why it is so difficult to get agencies that have responsibility for the main road that goes across Anglesey and North Wales to come up with a reasonable plan We need to look at the plan for each end of Anglesey.”
His letter had had some effect, he said. “When the Port in Holyhead was closed due to Storm Darragh, within two or three days, there were digital signs put in Flintshire, warning lorries not to come to Holyheaad. We would have never have seen that response a year ago. We have come a long way, there is still a long way to go.”
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