Contractors appointed for proposed border control post in Holyhead

A contractor has been appointed to design a proposed border control post facility in Holyhead.

The Welsh Government has committed to delivering new infrastructure as leaving the EU has placed additional pressure on UK ports.

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething previously made a commitment to establish permanent and interim arrangements for Holyhead.

Today, he has confirmed in a written statement that Kier has been appointed as the contractor for the design of the proposed border control post at plot 9, Parc Cybi.

He said: “During the design stage of the contract Kier will work with the Welsh Government to produce detailed designs for the facility, which will then allow the cost and timetable to be confirmed.

“Construction work on the proposed site will not start until the build stage of the contract is agreed, expected in the summer, and the site will continue to be used as a HGV parking facility until that time.

“This stage is also subject to the granting of planning permission via a special development order with a decision expected in May. I expect that the border control post will be operational by April 2023.

“I have always been clear in my commitment to deliver permanent and interim arrangements at Holyhead.

“Signing off a build contract was a major part of this commitment, which we have now done.”

The government is also working to develop interim arrangements for each of the three Welsh ports planned to take effect from 1 July.

Mr Gething said it would ensure the flow of imports from the Ireland whilst protecting biosecurity and food safety.

He said: “We continue to develop these plans with input from the local authorities, relevant enforcement agencies (including the Animal and Plant Health Agency, as well as the ports.

“We are working through details and practical arrangements for these sites, with all three Welsh ferry ports confirming there is scope for a temporary structure on the port to accommodate checks for some commodities.”