But interest said by some to be election gimmick
‘CRITICAL’ THIRD MENAI BRIDGE PLAN RETHINK
NEWS that stalled plans for a third Menai crossing linking Anglesey with the mainland of Wales could be revisited have been welcomed.
It comes after the Welsh Government’s new transport minister Ken Skates (pictured inset) told the BBC Wales’ Sunday Supplement show that the halted scheme to provide a third link could be “looked at again.”
Some politicians have warmly welcomed his comments as “encouraging,” some called for a “firm commitment,” whilst others have hailed them as mere “election posturing”.
Mr Skates, the Member of the Senedd for Clwyd South and also now the minister for North Wales, had been voicing interest over looking again at several North Wales transport and road building schemes.
But before any decisions, Mr Skates, the North Wales and Transport Minister, said he wanted to “listen” to what people and experts had to say.
Recently, Anglesey Council had expressed “disappointment” that Cardiff had “failed to understand the challenges” currently faced over the Menai Strait crossing.
Speaking at an extraordinary meeting of its executive
Anglesey County Council leader Cllr Llinos Medi had stated the problems were far more than “just a transport issue” and had the potential to create “challenges and threats to safety and life”.
The island was at times, she said at risk of being “cut off” not only from health and emergency services, but also from work and education establishments.
A third bridge was “critical,” she said.
Welcoming Mr Skates comments Cllr Medi said it was “a positive step in the right direction.”
“Our situation here on Ynys MÔN is unique to any other region across Wales, we depend on two bridges to link us to and from the mainland.
“We have seen during recent events that the current situation is just not resilient or good enough.
“This has ultimately left communities isolated, stagnated many businesses and has had a huge effect on workers, our young people, and families.”
“It’s encouraging to read that the Minister says he intends to listen to the views of the people and the councillors that represent our local communities.
“The message from Ynys MÔN is clear - a third Menai crossing is critical to ensure our island’s resilience and future economic growth.”
Anglesey Chief Executive, Dylan J Williams, added: “These initial comments from the new Minister are encouraging.
Ynys Môn’s Conservative MP Virginia Crosbie said: “Although this might be a welcome change of rhetoric from Welsh Labour it is still only if and buts, not a firm commitment for a desperately needed third Menai crossing that I have been campaigning for.
“I am happy to meet with Mr Skates to hear whether he is serious, and what are the next steps.”