Anglesey Council has welcomed plans to set up a new multi stakeholder task force to secure the future of Holyhead Port.
The UK’s second busiest port has been closed to all ships and vehicles since December 7th due to damage caused to vital berthing infrastructure in the wake of Storm Darragh.
The task force will be led by the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, alongside the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans.
Announcing news of the new task force, Mr Skates said that the group will work with the Irish Ministers for Transport, the UK Government and other key players in the Welsh and Irish ports and ferry industry to ensure the port meets the future needs of both nations.
Council Leader and Economic Development portfolio holder, Councillor Gary Pritchard, said:
“This is welcome news. We’ve seen in recent weeks how the port’s sudden and unexpected closure over Christmas and New Year – one of the busiest times of year – caused significant disruption to passengers and freight movement.
“The impact on local businesses, who rely on the port, cannot be underestimated and we welcome the opportunity to discuss plans for future resilience and how we can protect the strategic significance of Holyhead Port.”
He added:
“This new task force will get key stakeholders around the table, and we look forward to co-operating with partners and playing our part in these vital discussions.”
News of the task force comes as Anglesey Council launches its own Holyhead Port closure impact survey.
Chief Executive Dylan J. Williams said:
“We are already working closely with Welsh Government to understand the impact that the unplanned closure of Holyhead Port has had upon businesses.
“Whilst the Port is fully owned and operated by Stena Line, we want to ensure that the effects of the closure to businesses, in particular in terms of employment, are fully understood.
“To that end, we are today launching an online survey, which I hope, will allow us to gain the evidence needed to draw financial support for affected Welsh businesses.”
Mr Williams added:
“In terms of the new task force, the Council is fortunate to have a close working relationship with Stena Line, given our existing partnership to deliver the Anglesey Freeport project. Input from the Welsh, Irish and UK Governments will, of course, also be key to secure the future of Holyhead Port as well as those local jobs which depend upon its continued operation.”
The Holyhead Port closure impact survey can be found here: https://www.anglesey.gov.wales/holyhead-port-business-survey
Holyhead Port authority, Stena Line, recently announced that 16 January remains an achievable date to open the Terminal 5 ferry berth in Holyhead Port and resume ferry sailings on the Dublin – Holyhead route, subject to reasonable weather conditions.
