Work on the Menai Suspension Bridge is due to restart in February with the maintenance programme now expected to finish by spring 2027 after “a critical crossbeam issue arose”, the Welsh Government has said.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates confirmed on Wednesday that the Phase 2 programme, a comprehensive package of maintenance including the repainting of the 200‑year‑old structure, has been re‑scheduled after a series of engineering and safety issues emerged last year.

Earlier timelines have been revised “following re‑programming by [asset manager] UK Highways A55 and considering the additional engineering assessments required after a critical crossbeam issue arose”, Skates said. He added officials had sought assurances from the contractor about steps being taken to prevent further delays.

The bridge has been the subject of an extensive refurbishment programme carried out by Spencer Group in advance of its bicentenary, which is officially this Friday, 30 January. Officials have said they are disappointed the work would not be completed ahead of the anniversary but stressed safety and structural integrity had to take priority.

Work to replace hangers and install fail-safe mechanisms began after an emergency closure in 2022 revealed an “unacceptable risk of brittle failure” in hanger sockets fitted during a major upgrade between 1938 and 1941. Those degraded sockets, which connect the bridge’s 242 hangers to the main suspension chains, were judged to risk an “unzipping” failure of the structure.

A four-week emergency repair programme, completed in early 2023, installed temporary hangers and allowed the crossing to reopen under a 7.5t weight limit. Since then, Spencer Bridge Engineering has progressively been replacing a total of 168 hangers using a bespoke de-tensioning rig and installing secondary fail-safe mechanisms to provide additional support in the event of primary hanger failure.

The bridge fully reopened to traffic in autumn 2024 following the completion of this phase of the works to enable free-flow of traffic over the winter. However, restrictions were re-applied in February 2025 so that the next phase of works could take place.

The Menai Suspension Bridge then closed to cars and motorcycles in October after bridge maintainers raised concerns about enforcement and newly discovered structural issues.

UK Highways A55, which is responsible for the bridge’s upkeep, reported that investigations carried out as part of the current phase of works had revealed bolts on beams beneath the bridge that require replacement. That finding, together with “challenges with enforcement”, prompted the decision to impose a temporary full closure while further inspections are carried out and a safe enforcement strategy is put in place.

Skates stated the bridge will remain open to vehicles up to 7.5t throughout the works, but short periods of traffic management will be used to complete key elements. The Welsh Government and contractors said the revised methodology reduces the need for traffic management compared with earlier plans in an effort to limit disruption to residents, commuters and businesses.

UK Highways A55 Ltd is delivering the project on behalf of the Welsh Government, supported by Spencers Bridge Engineering and Cowi.

Equitix is the senior overseer of UK Highways A55 Ltd. Skates said he had met, and would continue to meet, Equitix representatives to press for timely and safe delivery after “scheduling, procurement and enforcement challenges” earlier in the programme.

The Menai Suspension Bridge, completed in 1826 and designed by Thomas Telford, is a key transport link between Anglesey and the mainland and an internationally recognised landmark.

The Welsh Government has said it will maintain close oversight of the project and provide further updates as the works progress.

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