A55 and rail chaos after lorry ‘hits’ the Britannia Bridge
A lorry has "hit" the Britannia Bridge - causing chaos to the A55[1] and rail services. North Wales Police[2] said that the westbound lane was closed at around 4.30pm after a road traffic collision on the link between Anglesey[3] and the mainland. They told drivers to use an alternative route with traffic diverted to the Menai Suspension Bridge. Meanwhile it is also affecting rail services.
Some images appear to show the lorry impacting one of the arches over the bridge but a Traffic Wales picture seems to show there is a gap between the truck and the tower arch.
Lorry collision on the Britannia Bridge (Image: Traffic Wales)
Transport for Wales said: "Due to a lorry colliding with a bridge between Holyhead[4] and Bangor[5], Gwynedd[6] the line is blocked. Network Rail have advised us that a lorry has struck one of the pillars on Britannia Bridge. At this time, no trains are allowed to cross until technicians and engineers arrive to inspect.
"Road transport has been requested but is proving difficult to source because of road transport operators on other work elsewhere." The incident has caused major tailbacks in the area - coming as commuters started to make their way home. At 4.40pm Traffic Wales announced it was closing the road to remove the truck.
They later (6.05pm) said traffic would be "batched" on both sides to allow traffic through.