Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, : In light of Tuesday's statement by Holyhead Port
Authority, a Joint Communique
from the Welsh Government and the Irish
Government was issued.
Having received clarity from Stena that the Port of Holyhead will
not reopen until 15 January at the earliest, following the damage
sustained during Storm Darragh, the Welsh Government and our
partners are urgently pressing ahead with contingency plans to
minimise the impact on individuals and businesses.
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning and I are working in close
cooperation with the Irish Government and other partners to
ensure that freight and people can be transported as efficiently
as possible across the Irish Sea.
First and foremost, we are working to try and resolve capacity
constraints at alternative ports for freight and passengers.
Cabinet Ministers, along with officials, are in ongoing
discussions with the commercial ferry and port operators
regarding the steps they are taking to mitigate the situation as
swiftly as possible to meet demand.
During recent meetings with Stena and Irish ferries, alongside
the port operators I have been informed that as a result of
action taken to date, freight capacity has increased
significantly across alternative ports and is anticipated to meet
demand. Whilst this news is encouraging, it remains imperative
that private sector port operators and the UK Government, working
alongside the Welsh and Irish Governments, continue to leave no
stone unturned in urgently identifying alternative solutions for
businesses and individuals.
Every effort is being made to minimise the traffic impacts of
these urgent but necessary arrangements. Welsh Government
officials have established a working group involving Transport
for Wales and relevant local authorities to ensure that the
current increase in freight and anticipated increase in foot
passengers over the coming days is handled as effectively as
possible. In the meantime, I am grateful to those communities
affected for their patience and understanding.
I want to assure the individuals and businesses impacted that we
understand the difficulties caused by the issues in Holyhead, and
alongside our partners we are doing everything we can to ensure
that you are able to travel to Ireland, particularly as we head
into the festive period.
I will provide you with regular updates as this matter
progresses.
