Workers subjected to abuse and harassment on Welsh bridge

Traffic operatives are on the bridge to ensure compliance with a weight restriction

Traffic officers working to keep one of Wales’ busiest bridges safe have been subject to “abuse and harassment” by members of the public. One recent incident on the Menai Suspension Bridge, which spans between the Welsh mainland and Anglesey, was so serious that it led to all traffic management on the bridge being suspended for a period.

UK Highways A55 Limited, which operates and maintains the bridge, said abuse of operatives working on the bridge has become “commonplace” since phase two works began earlier this year.

Bosses at the highway management company condemned the behaviour, and said the latest incident “placed the welfare and safety of operatives at risk’ so a decision was taken to pause operations. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here

A 7.5-tonne weight restriction is in place on the Menai Suspension Bridge in order to allow for essential repair and maintenance work to take place.

Operatives are on the bridge to improve compliance with the weight restriction, as the bridge is forced to close when an overweight vehicle travels across it for safety inspections.

The company said traffic management was suspended on Monday evening, July 27, due to the incident which saw a staff member face abuse and harassment.

“Footage of this incident was subsequently shared on social media,” UK Highways A55 Limited said.

“Abuse directed at operatives working on the Menai Suspension Bridge has become a common feature of the phase two programme, however the latest incident placed the welfare and safety of operatives at risk so the decision was taken to pause operations. Our priority will always be the safety and wellbeing of our workforce and subcontractors.

“Traffic management operatives require use of their mobile phones to confirm the revenue weight of vehicles given information supplied by drivers can at times be inaccurate or understate the true weight of their vehicle. Suggestions that use of their mobile phones is indicative of a lack of attention are inaccurate.”

UK Highways A55 Limited warn that police referrals will be made if harassment of operatives and non-compliance continues.

Permanent traffic management was introduced to address repeated non-compliance with the advertised 7.5-tonne weight limit on the Menai Suspension Bridge, but operatives nevertheless rely on the cooperation of road users to adhere to their directions and respect the weight limit. The bridge has been forced to close on regular occasions when vehicles have ignored the directions of operatives and crossed the bridge regardless.

An overweight vehicle crossing the Menai Suspension Bridge requires a precautionary check to assess any potential damage.

This is due to an under-bridge scaffolding system which is installed on the bridge to allow repair and maintenance work to take place. The Welsh Government explain that the scaffolding and equipment weigh 42 tonnes, so the weight limit was introduced to minimise the load on certain points of the bridge.

UK Highways A55 Limited said: “Harassment of traffic management operatives, who have been responsible for turning away numerous overweight vehicles, or any other member of the team tasked with delivering the phase two works is entirely counterproductive to the safe operation of the Menai Suspension Bridge. UK Highways A55 Ltd will continue to work closely with Welsh Government and its road agencies to determine options to protect the Grade 1- listed heritage structure and allow essential works to be carried out without disruption.

“Traffic management will return to site on July 28, 2026. Should further harassment and non-compliance occur, referrals will be made to North Wales Police, operatives will leave the site and the bridge will be closed. It remains critical therefore that operatives and the weight limit are respected and adhered to in order to prevent extended closures.”