North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has highlighted in the Senedd Chamber the plight of businesses affected by the closure of Menai Suspension Bridge and urged Ministers to listen to and act on their concerns.
Speaking in yesterday’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, Mr Isherwood called for a Welsh Government Statement on the matter, emphasising that long-term closure of the bridge will “devastate” businesses.
He said:
“I call for a single Statement from the Minister for Economy, ideally with the Deputy Minister for Climate Change, on support for businesses affected by the closure of Menai Suspension Bridge.
“ Last Friday, I met online with the local MP, Virginia Crosbie, my fellow North Wales MS Sam Rowlands, and Menai Bridge businesses concerned about the impact on them of the Welsh Government’s closure of the bridge. Businesses told us they feel they’re not being listened to.
“They said the whole public perception that people cannot get on and off the island has also affected Beaumaris, when the only real issue is in the morning and the evening, and they ask whether anyone can do anything about getting some work started on the bridge. It’s already been closed for more than a month, but nobody’s seen anyone working on it, and they fear the bridge will be closed for a long time, which would devastate them.
“They said that if you go two miles up the road, there are still issues - they need to get the traffic sorted, they need free parking, business rates relief, and banners on the A55, signposting people to the centres such as Menai Bridge and Beaumaris, advertising that they’re well and truly open.
“They complained about hysterics on social media affecting both locals and tourists on which they rely, and they need Visit Wales to be pushing the message that they are open. They said, 'We just need hope, and to promote that our island is open, where our tourism trade is being decimated and our supply chains affected'. I urge the relevant Ministers to come forward with a Statement accordingly where these many, many businesses - excellent businesses - providing key services to local people are at great risk.
The Trefnydd, Lesley Griffith MS, told Mr Isherwood that the Welsh Government “recognise that many businesses in the area will be facing uncertainties due to the bridge closure”.
She added:
“Welsh Government officials have met with the Chief Executive and Officers of the Isle of Anglesey County Council. The local authority are drafting an action plan for supporting the business community, and I’m aware that the Deputy Minister for Climate Change is very soon visiting the area, where he will, obviously, continue to have those discussions.”
Speaking outside the meeting, Mr Isherwood added:
“The Welsh Government gave no notice of the closure of the Menai Suspension Bridge and have not provided any indication of how long it will be closed for. Businesses are rightly extremely concerned and deserve at the very least a detailed outline of timescales.
“The Welsh Government should be helping businesses in their recovery from the pandemic, not causing them more worry about their futures.”