Welsh minister slams ‘unacceptable’ decision to exclude Holyhead Port from ferry support announcement

A Welsh minister has slammed the UK Government after it did not include Holyhead Port in an announcement about support offered to the ferry industry.

Westminster said it would provide £17m to Stena Line, P&O and Seatruck to keep important routes going between ports in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland because of the impact of the coronavirus.

However, the key link between Holyhead and Dublin has not been backed as part of the funding.

Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport Lee Waters said ferry operations and ports across the UK had been “badly hit” by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that “Holyhead is no exception”.

He said: “The ferry route between Holyhead and Dublin is a vital link, transporting critical goods, such as food and oxygen supply for the NHS, for the UK mainland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

“As the second busiest roll on roll off ferry port in the UK it plays an essential role in the economy of North Wales and further afield.

“Given its importance, particularly at this time, it is absurd to wait until a route is no longer commercially viable before taking action

“It is unacceptable, inexplicable and irresponsible that the Port of Holyhead has not been included in the UK Government’s announcement.

“I along with my counterparts in Scotland and Northern Ireland have been pressing for weeks how essential it is that the UK Government recognises the importance of this route and that action is taken to secure the critical supply chains so vital to us weathering this crisis. I know Anglesey Council have also been in touch with the UK Government about this.

“I have again written to the UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps today to press the case for Holyhead. We should not be waiting for routes to fail before stepping in. We need to act now and act quickly.

“This is a vital route of strategic importance critical to the economy of North Wales.  I call on the UK Government to reconsider their decision and urgently take action to include Holyhead in their plans.”