Contraflow measures on A55 set to be scaled back as disruption at Holyhead Port fails to materialise

Contraflow measures on the A55 to minimise disruption near Holyhead Port are set to be scaled back.

It follows paperwork issues which were expected to follow the end of the Brexit transition period failing to materialise at the level expected.

Original data from the UK Government estimated that between 40 to 70 per cent of HGVs would not be ready for the new border arrangements, leading to large tailbacks in the area.

The Welsh Government said that the rate so far this year has been closer to ten per cent or under, with the vast majority of freight vehicles having the correct paperwork.

Work to scale back the temporary contraflow on the A55 will begin on January 31, reducing by one junction so it runs from junctions two to three.

Over the next two to three weeks, if conditions do not change, it will be removed completely.

It follows the completion of work to create a stacking site for 66 vehicles at Parc Cybi, with a further 64 spaces set to be ready by mid-February.

While there have been less problems than expected, Minister for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates has raised concerns about the sharp drop in freight traffic using the port.

He said: “As we made clear at the outset our contingency plans for Holyhead were based on forecasts on the number of HGVs which could be turned away from the port.

“To date the rate had been far lower than forecast and as the stacking site at Parc Cybi is almost complete we will begin scaling back the temporary A55 contraflow.

“Freight levels are currently very low at the port. While we expected levels to be low at the start of the year, it is concerning that they continue to be reduced.

“I have written to the UK Government to ask what their plan is to reverse this situation and how they will support the communities affected.

“This situation is as a direct result of the choices they made on how we left the EU.  We will be monitoring the situation very closely.

“I would like to thank the community of Holyhead and wider area for their patience and co-operation while the contraflow has been in place.

“I am very aware that this is a period of uncertainty but I would like to assure them that we are working hard with the port authority, ferry companies, the local authority and others to do what we can to support the port which is of strategic importance to Wales and the whole of the UK.”