Skates said the government had to listen to advice from the engineers working on the bridge “to ensure the safety of everyone”.
The bridge, which is more than 200 years old, is to remain shut while further investigations are completed in the coming days, with Skates pressing for “an early resolution to this issue”.
It comes after the suspension bridge was closed for four months in 2022 amid serious safety concerns.
That work began in September 2023, causing widespread delays. The first phase was completed in October 2024, and the bridge was then re-opened to all traffic.
Phase two, including full repainting and preservation, had not been due to finish until spring 2026, but the bridge has remained open while this took place.
