The Menai Suspension Bridge will temporarily reopen both ways to traffic over the winter.

The Welsh Government says the first stage of repair work has been completed on schedule, allowing the bridge to re-open to two-way traffic from midnight on Saturday.

All 168 hangers on the bridge have been replaced over the past fourteen months, with one lane being closed and weigh limits restricted to 7.5 tonnes.

Work will now be paused until February, when phase two sees the bridge being repainted among other tasks.

According to North Wales Secretary, Ken Skates, the work will not affect plans to celebrate the bridge's 200th anniversary in January 2026.

He said: "The completion of phase one works is great news. It has been a challenging time, and I want to place on record my thanks to everyone affected by the works."

“We’ve listened to the feedback from local communities and have decided to pause the start of phase two works to allow for the full reopening of the bridge over the winter period."

“But rest assured this delay will not affect the 200^th anniversary of the bridge in January 2026.”

The suspension bridge closed suddenly in October 2022 due to serious safety risks, following advice from UK Highways engineers.

The Welsh Government says reopening the bridge over the winter months - which includes lifting the weight limit to 40 tonnes - will improve local business opportunities over Christmas and ensures Holyhead Port will remain in operation for longer.

It will also again offer an alternative route if the A55 Britannia Bridge is affected by weather - with HGVs and other vulnerable vehicles being able to use the suspension bridge following the lifting of the 7.5 tonne weight limit.

But the current restrictions will be introduced in February when work resumes, although the Welsh Government insists improved weather conditions will allow for a "smoother and more efficient delivery" of phase two.