Highway workers have spoken out after frustrated drivers hurled bottles of urine at them as they were managing traffic on a popular bridge.
Work has been taking place on the Menai Suspension Bridge in North Wales since January as part of the second phase of the refurbishment.
This involves repairing concrete corbels, upgrading lighting, repainting parapets, and inspecting the bearings near the towers.
The second phase of the refurbishment is scheduled to be completed in the spring next year, although delays and restrictions have frustrated locals using the route.
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While the bridge has remained open throughout the second phase of the works, any vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes are restricted.
Highways teams have also stated that it may be necessary to close one lane of the Bridge to allow further works to be completed.
UK Highways A55 Ltd, which is carrying out the work, said every step was being taken to minimise disruption.
Speaking to the BBC, workers have reported that they have faced abuse from drivers when working on the 200-year-old structure.
Workers stated that vehicles have been driven aggressively, drivers have hurled verbal abuse, and there have been reports of bottles being thrown, including one full of urine.
This has prompted a strong response from Deputy Minister for Transport Mark Hooper, who claimed the safety and welfare were the Government’s “utmost priority”.
He said: “The recent behaviour directed at those working on site is completely unacceptable. No one should be harassed or abused whilst doing their job.”
Mr Hooper, who represents Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg (Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan) in the Senedd for Plaid Cymru, said the Government and UK Highways A55 Ltd were exploring all possible options to minimise disruption.
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He noted that this could include resuming discussions to introduce camera technology and other compliance measures.
“We recognise the real and significant disruption being experienced by communities and businesses on both sides of the bridge,” Mr Hooper said.
Gary Roberts, a traffic management operative working on the Menai Suspension Bridge, detailed some of the abuse his team had faced.
He explained that some drivers had shouted at workers trying to maintain the bridge, while others drove in an “aggressive way to frighten people”.
Mr Roberts told the BBC: “We have seen a few water bottles thrown, even one with urine. When they shout at us we want them to know, we are just the guys on the front line.
“We don’t make the decisions, that’s done by higher up people, but we are the ones getting all the flack.”
The worker highlighted how he wanted drivers to consider that he and his team are normal people just doing their jobs.
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