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Menai Bridge closure survey launched for shops and businesses to share their experiences

17 Nov 2022 2 minute read
Menai Bridge Anglesey. Photo by Nick Cozier on Unsplash.

Shops and businesses are being asked to share their experiences of the impact of the recent Menai Bridge closure. 

The A5 Menai Suspension Bridge was closed to all traffic with immediate effect on 21 October by the Welsh Government, in the interest of public safety, after serious risks were identified and structural engineers recommended closing the bridge.

Despite the bridge being closed, shops and businesses are very much open and need the support of shoppers.

The Isle of Anglesey County Council has prepared an online survey so businesses in Menai Bridge can have their say following reports of a loss in trade and less footfall in the town centre.

It is hoped that data provided will via the survey will bolster the council’s case for extra funding from the Welsh Government to support the local business community.

More than 80 local businesses will be contacted directly and asked to complete the online survey.

Anglesey Council’s Deputy Leader and Economic Development portfolio holder, Councillor Carwyn Jones, said: “The Menai Suspension Bridge is a vital gateway to and from the town centre. Whilst the bridge is closed – the town is very much open for business and needs our support.

“Local businesses have reported a fall in trade since the closure. We hope that the survey will play a vital role in gauging how much shops and businesses in the town have been impacted.”

He added: “We are already holding discussions with colleagues in Welsh Government in respect of the impact of the closure of the bridge on local businesses. Business Wales are also helping to support businesses in the town.

“We hope the online survey will provide the relevant information on the impact on businesses and help us build a case for further intervention if required. I would, therefore, urge local businesses to complete it as soon as possible.”

The county council is working in partnership with Welsh Government, Menter Môn, Menai Bridge Town Council, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Bangor University to mitigate the impact of the bridge closure.

Wake-up call

The disruption caused by the closure of the Menai Bridge is a “wake-up call” to the Welsh Government for a third crossing, a Welsh engineering group has recently said.


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Frank
Frank
1 year ago

Shops and businesses are always spinning tales of woe about their hardship. All I can see is profiteering on a huge scale, all taking advantage of the current dire situation by escalating prices way over the top. We are all experiencing extreme difficulties at the moment, some much more than others, but retailers will have us believe that their situation is much worse. Wholesale prices go up and immediately they pass it on to the customer with, wink wink, a little increase for their profit too. Where’s the hardship there? Most of us cannot pass on increases to anyone. During… Read more »

Y Tywysog Lloegr a Moscow
Y Tywysog Lloegr a Moscow
1 year ago

It seems a reasonable action to take. I’d be surprised if they didn’t.
However, any claims made in the responses should be verified. From an earlier NC article, it seems the boutiques and art galleries serving visitors from Cheshire and Liverpool thought it was a disaster. Local food and hardware stores etc thought “it makes deliveries a little trickier” but that apart from delays crossing the remaining bridge, there was not much change.
Saying that, a new bridge is needed.

Last edited 1 year ago by Y Tywysog Lloegr a Moscow

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