, Minister for
Economy: I am pleased to inform the Senedd that this
week (27 February 2024) the Welsh Government signed a contract
with Kier Construction to begin main construction work on the new
Border Control Post at Holyhead in North Wales. This is needed
following the post-Brexit Border Target Operating Model which the
UK Government published in August 2023, following agreement with
the Welsh and Scottish Governments.
Holyhead Port is a hugely important link between the UK and
Ireland, and currently supports around 700 local jobs on
Anglesey. Building the Border Control Post will help safeguard
those jobs for the future while also creating some estimated 80
more, both during its construction and for the lifetime
operation. This includes a range of employment opportunities for
local people, including as cleaners, security, stevedores, vets,
and port health inspectors.
Kier Construction’s work on the Border Control Post, which began
in April 2023 and is due to end in January 2025, is expected to
contribute significantly to the local economy, with a commitment
to a minimum 40% spend in North Wales across the lifetime of the
contract, including local construction jobs and local suppliers,
along with upskilling training for pupils at local schools and
colleges.
Preparatory work also continues on Border Control Posts at
Fishguard and Pembroke Dock, and we expect construction work on
all three sites to be completed by late Spring 2025, subject to
the resolution of a number of issues on which I am waiting to
hear from UK Government Ministers.
As I have said many times, staying joined-up is the best approach
to guaranteeing biosecurity and a long-term future for Welsh
ports. The Welsh Government will continue to press for an
approach which works for Wales, while giving businesses and
delivery partners sufficient notice to prepare.
While I have yet to agree the date for implementation of physical
checks on imports from Ireland with the UK and Scottish
Governments, the signing of this contract clearly demonstrates
our commitment to the importance of Holyhead as an ongoing trade
route to and from Ireland.
Implementing border controls presents an additional cost to the
Welsh Government. In 2024-25, we have made £6.4m of revenue
funding available, which includes support for local authorities
to prepare for their role in the process of checking documents
and physical checks. This is in addition to more than £7m
which has already been committed by the Welsh Government.
The UK Government has given funding assurance of £47.8 million
for the construction. Coming on top of the Welsh Government’s
announcement in October 2023 of a £40 million package for the
refurbishment of the Holyhead Breakwater, the Border Control Post
represents a substantial additional infrastructure investment in
securing the long-term future of Holyhead Port.
