The UK Government has been urged to provide Holyhead Port’s ferry operators with extra support during the ongoing pandemic.

County Council Leader, Councillor Llinos Medi, has written to the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, and Secretary of State for Wales, the Rt Hon Simon Hart MP, to highlight her concerns.

The impact of Coronavirus on the day-to-day operations of both Holyhead Port’s ferry operators – Stena Line and Irish Ferries - has been severe. Both have already had to curtail services but remain committed to maintaining transport of critical freight.

However, in order to achieve this, they need more financial support to bridge the gap between a drop in income and running costs of maintaining such an important strategic international transport and freight route between Dublin and Holyhead.

In her letter, Cllr Medi, states, ‘You will be acutely aware of the scale and breadth of the Covid-19 emergency and how it has impacted on every business sector and industry.’

‘Whilst we are acknowledge the emergency support measures announced over recent weeks by both UK and Welsh Governments, we are concerned that the needs of Holyhead Port are not being met.’

As the UK’s second busiest roll on / roll off port, Holyhead’s importance to Wales and the UK cannot be underestimated; with in excess of a million vehicle movements a year. Holyhead Port also sustains more than 400 jobs and many hundreds more via its supply chain.

The Irish Government has already provided temporary financial support measures for its strategic maritime connections.

Cllr Medi has asked Grant Shapps to give the matter ‘urgent consideration’ and hopes ‘that a support mechanism can be agreed soon’ to help Holyhead Port through these unprecedented times.

Ends 17.4.20