With the port of Holyhead due to partially reopen today (16
January) the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales
has emphasised the Welsh Government will continue to
work with all partners.
Stena have announced repairs have been carried out to the port
which was badly damaged by Storm Darragh in December last year
meaning ferries can now sail at full capacity with the first
ferry scheduled to set sail at 01:30 on 16 January from berth 5.
The Welsh Government has been working closely with the Irish
Government since the temporary closure of the port.
This has included the First Minister meeting with the Taoiseach
last week where they discussed the on-going impact of the port's
closure on the movement of people and freight.
To help achieve the long term resilience of the port, the Cabinet
Secretary last week announced the setting up of a task force
which will work with the Irish Ministers for Transport, the UK
Government, Stena and other key players in the Welsh and Irish
ports and ferry industry to ensure the port meets the future
needs of both nations
The Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, said,
“I would like to thank passengers and the freight industry for
their patience and co-operation in adapting to the route changes
that were necessary in light of the damage caused from Storm
Darragh affecting terminal 3 and terminal 5 ferry berths.
“I would also like to thank the port operators, the ferry
companies and the dedicated staff in Fishguard, Milford Haven and
elsewhere for everything that they did to ensure that people and
goods were able to undertake their journeys, particularly over
the peak festive period.
“Co-ordination of this effort was greatly boosted as a result of
the close co-operation between the Welsh Government and the Irish
Government, with the First Minister meeting with the Taoiseach as
recently as last Friday. The collaboration and sharing of
information in real-time informed the provision of alternative
services and helped minimise traffic related impacts. I am also
grateful to the relevant UK Government Departments and Ministers,
local authorities and trade bodies for the part they have played
in this task.”
“I would like to thank Stena for their work to reopen berth 5,
despite the challenges of the weather.”
