Windy Welsh risk
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• Trucks could be stranded on either side of the Menai Straits during windy conditions, following a Welsh Office decision to divert vehicles over 7.5 tonnes from the Menai to the Britannia Bridge.
This follows an assessment of the Menai Bridge's structure which showed that until the bridge was maintained, its weight restriction would have to be slashed from 32 to 7.5 tonnes.
The Britannia Bridge already takes most of the LIGVs between Anglesey and the mainland. But it is often closed in gales, and now this will leave HGVs with no way on or off the island.
"Drivers aren't going to be very happy if they've driven up from London to catch an Irish ferry and have to wait until the wind drops," says Tom Jones, Gwynedd secretary of the Transport & General Workers Union.
Once the 000,000 maintenance scheme is completed the weight restriction may be raised — but it is unlikely to get back up to 32 tonnes again, says the Welsh Office.