Lower speeds, wind deflectors and speed cameras recommended for Menai bridges but no new crossing

A raft of recommendations have been proposed to improve travel over the Menai Strait - but they don't include a third crossing at this stage. The North Wales Transport Commission was set up by Welsh Government to look at travel in the region. The commission - led by Lord Terry Burns, former Permanent Secretary of the UK Treasury - was given the task of leading the year long review.

After a backlash against the decision to halt proposals for a third Menai crossing after a recommendation from the Roads Review Panel[1], the commission's remit was extended to identify options for improving connectivity across the Menai Strait between Anglesey[2] (Ynys Mon) and Gwynedd[3]. That report has now been published. It includes 16 recommendations for the crossings - which range from wind deflectors on the Britannia Bridge as well as a lower speed limit and camera enforcement.

It also proposes a study on a three-lane tidal system to improve traffic flows at peak times but does question whether the investment required and ongoing costs would provide sufficient benefit. They say some stakeholders raised the possibility of a bridge toll but has not been something they have recommended to take forward.

But when it come to a third crossing the report doesn't make any specific recommendation but does say the panel "recognise that there may be reasons in the future to again consider a Third Menai Crossing".

The report said: "This may be because of significant economic development on Ynys Mon, such as a nuclear facility at the Wylfa Newydd site." It added: "The development and construction of such a bridge would need to meet Welsh Government's four tests for road building. It would take a considerable period of time to deliver and there are many outstanding planning issues connected with heritage and biodiversity."

Ynys Mon MS Rhun ap Iorwerth said the narrow remit given to the commission "means the long term resilience issue simply isn't being addressed". The recommendations include:

• A scheme is developed and delivered to provide wind deflectors on Britannia Bridge with the aim of reducing the number of times the bridge needs to be closed.
• The introduction of a system for temporarily lowering the mandatory speed limit on Britannia Bridge and the management of the reduction in speed of traffic on the approaches to the bridge. This will involve using variable mandatory speed limit signs with enforcement by average speed cameras, which will reduce the probability of collisions and mitigate the effect of high wind on moving vehicles.

• A study is undertaken for Britannia Bridge of a three-lane tidal system (more on this at the bottom of the story) with and without a moveable barrier so that such a system could be deployed quickly if appropriate for resilience and incident management in the future.

• A study to consider layout changes to the mainline across Britannia Bridge, the position of lane drops, and the merges and diverges at Junction 8, Junction 8A and Junction 9, with the purpose of smoothing flow and reducing the probability of collisions.
• A study is undertaken to investigate improvements to traffic management at both roundabouts at Junction 9 to assist particularly when there is a bridge closure and create priority for buses.
• A study is undertaken to investigate improvements to the layout and control of the A55 slip roads with the A5 at Junction 8A.
• Increasing the frequency of trains calling at LlanfairPG station to enhance frequency between Ynys Mon, Bangor, Llandudno and beyond.

• Investigating the potential for implementing signal-controlled gating to allow cycle traffic to cross the Menai Suspension Bridge separately from motor traffic.

• A ban on overtaking along the full length of the Menai Suspension Bridge.

• New or improved park and ride sites are explored on Ynys Mon to complement an enhanced bus network.

Mr Iorwerth MS said: "Whilst I'm grateful to the Commission for their work and welcome a number of their recommendations to try to address some short-term problems surrounding the crossing of the Menai strait, the narrow remit given to them by Welsh Government means the long term resilience issue simply isn't being addressed.

That's what a third bridge offered, and with that project having been cancelled, there's still no word from Welsh Government on what they're proposing instead. North Wales Live has launched a WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone[6] "The introduction of wind shields and a three-lane system, along with adjustments to junctions are all sensible recommendations, but what's frustrating is that on the three lane option for example, I and my predecessor Ieuan Wyn Jones were asking for this a decade and more ago, with Welsh Government saying 'no'."

Rhun ap Iorwerth MS added: "I'm calling on Welsh Government to implement recommendations such as a three lane peak-flow with urgency - we've lost too much time already. But at the same time I'll continue to call for the finalising of plans for a third bridge or similar major infrastructure investment so plans are shovel-ready when Government can be convinced again of their need."

Plaid Cymru's North Wales MS, Llyr Gruffydd, said: "The Burns Commission's work echoes many of the calls made by Plaid Cymru. If the Welsh Government is to have any hope of encouraging people out of their cars and into more sustainable modes of transport then they have to improve both bus and rail provision across the north.

It's also welcome that the report tempers this with an explicit recognition that travel by car will always be essential for many, particularly in rural areas. "Much of what is included in the report has previously been highlighted and called for. The real test will be in how the Welsh Government responds.

Will this be just another report that gathers dust on a Government shelf, or will it lead to a significant change of gear in transport provision across North Wales?"

A tidal flow scheme - what the commission said

The report said: "A peak time three-lane tidal flow arrangement on the A55[7] Britannia Bridge, coupled with a suitable speed limit, may reduce congestion. Lane widths of 3.5m for each of the nearside lanes with a central lane width of 3.0mcould be achieved, although that would require a departure from standards. Significant design work will be required to ensure a safe road layout and safe speed management

"A tidal flow scheme would be expensive to implement and have ongoing substantial revenue costs. Its benefits would be seen only during weekday peak periods. We considered the feasibility and merit of using a moveable barrier to separate the two travel directions.

The barrier could be moved from one side of a lane to the other by a vehicle travelling along the length of the tidal flow section. Such a system is used on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and was used on the M20in Kent during Operation Brock. "A barrier on the Britannia Bridge moveable by a vehicle in this way would require the two nearside lanes in each direction to be narrowed to 3.25m to maintain the centre lane at 3.0m.

In addition to the capital costs of the system there would be revenue costs in addition to a tidal flow system without a barrier. We think that such a system is unlikely to be useful on Britannia Bridge because of the narrow lane widths, revenue costs, and limited time in the day when benefits will accrue. We think that there would be value in understanding more fully the conditions in which a tidal system could be of benefit and the limitations that such a system would have.

This would allow for rapid deployment at some future date if that were deemed appropriate."

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References

1. ^ after a recommendation from the Roads Review Panel (www.dailypost.co.uk)
2. ^ Anglesey (www.dailypost.co.uk)
3. ^ Gwynedd (www.dailypost.co.uk)
4. ^ Pub and 25-bed hotel could be built on garage site near Abersoch (www.dailypost.co.uk)
5. ^ Four Welsh restaurants on list of the UK's top 100 (www.dailypost.co.uk)
6. ^ WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone (www.dailypost.co.uk)
7. ^ A55 (www.dailypost.co.uk)