A COUNCIL has pledged to provide help and support “in any way it can” to ferry operator Stena Line following the recent closure of Holyhead port.
All ferry services between Holyhead and Dublin remain cancelled after ferry berths were damaged during Storm Darragh earlier this month.
It was confirmed earlier this week that the port would remain closed until January 15 at the earliest.
The closure is having “a significant impact” on travel and freight movement regionally, nationally and internationally.
Now Anglesey County Council says it has offered assistance “in any way it can” to help Stena Line – the port authority – which has apologised for the disruption.
Anglesey Council’s chief executive Dylan J. Williams, said: “We recognise that this is a challenging and uncertain time for all concerned, and that Stena Line is making every effort to rectify the damage, reopen the port and minimise economic and community impacts.
“Unfortunately, we now know that the ferry berths won’t reopen until January 15th, 2025, at the earliest.
“Our commitment to working with Stena Line as a partner remains – not only with important investment opportunities, like Anglesey Freeport, but also during the difficult times.
“The county council is committed to provide support or assistance in any way we can.
“We will also continue to co-operate fully with both Welsh and UK Governments.”
The council’s economic development unit is also in the process of creating an online portal to engage with local businesses and assess the economic and employment impacts of the port closure on the Holyhead area.
This will be launched in January 2025.
Council leader and economic development portfolio holder, Councillor Gary Pritchard, said: “We welcome Stena Line’s continued commitment to Holyhead as a port and town.
“The port’s closure is having a significant impact on travel and freight movement regionally, nationally and internationally.
“In light of [Wednesday’s] announcement that the port will be closed until at least mid-January I will be calling on the Welsh Government to support those businesses in the local supply chain which are being severely impacted by the closure; and on the UK Government to recognise the Port of Holyhead’s strategic importance.”
Cllr Pritchard added: “We all recognise the severity of this situation and hope to see the Port of Holyhead reopened as quickly as possible.
“But the safety of the travelling public and those working at the port remains of paramount importance for us all.”
