Menai Suspension Bridge Closure Highlights Fragility

Responding to the announcement that the Menai Suspension Bridge will have to be temporarily closed for urgent repairs, Josh Fenton Policy Manager - Trade, Customs and Borders says this shows the precarious state of the UK's infrastructure: "The temporary closure of the Menai Suspension Bridge highlights the fragility of the UK's ageing infrastructure and remedial works need to be carried out as quickly as possible so the bridge can reopen safely. "All traffic between Anglesey and the Welsh mainland is now forced onto the Britannia Bridge which will cause inevitable congestion and delays on what is a key trade route between the UK and Ireland.

There is more than inconvenience at stake: Logistics UK's analysis shows having an HGV stuck in traffic costs the operator GBP1.29 per minute, and the overall cost of congestion to the UK economy in 2024 was GBP7.7 billion*. "The situation highlights the importance of building resilience into the UK's supply chain, which is why the government needs to develop a Freight and Logistics Plan to recognise the importance of strategic freight routes, and ensure they are kept open." Logistics UK is one of the UK's biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods.

With decarbonisation, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc.

Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, water and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.

For more information about the organisation and its work, please visit logistics.org.uk

Transport & Logistics - Driving The Industry Forward