Freeport is huge plus to case for third Menai Strait crossing
BUSINESS LEADERS URGE RETHINK OVER AXED SCHEME
THE decision to award Anglesey freeport status has reinforced the need for a third Menai crossing.
That was the message from business and political leaders as they digested the news about the £26m investment in a freeport.
Welsh Government’s roads review saw highways schemes across the region scrapped - including the third Menai crossing. This has now been placed under “review” again.
Minsters were criticised over the decision with the closure of the Menai Suspension Bridge last year highlighting how vulnerable the island is with two crossings - including one that dates to the 1820s.
The freeport decision is now expected to boost the economy of Ynys Môn and should mean further traffic - which had fallen due to Brexit - over the bridges.
Ynys Môn MS Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “I’ve always argued that a new crossing was about resilience. That means giving an assurance to our communities that we won’t be isolated at particular times, but it also means giving assurance to investors we have a free flow of traffic. The aim of the freeport is to create economic activity, we don’t want transport constraints to put off some investors or add stress on transport infrastructure for day-to-day users.
“Whilst I believe the First Minister was wrong to say that the UK Government’s failure to deliver a new Wylfa took away the case for the bridge - we need it, Wylfa or not - the fact that we now have another project capable of creating significant additional economic activity surely weakens his argument.”
Ben Francis, FSB Wales Policy Chair said: “Considering this Autumn’s bridge closure and the serious impact that had on the Island’s businesses, it’s important that the development of the Freeport is reinforced with the guarantee of reliable road infrastructure.
“This should include the active commitment by Welsh Government of a third crossing.”
Clare Budden, Chair of North Wales Business Council, said: “Freeport status for Anglesey is great news.
“The new status will mean extra traffic across the Menai Strait to and from Anglesey, so it’s key to understand how that future traffic growth will be managed effectively, including any potential Third Crossing. This needs to be answered sooner rather than later.”