Ahead of the Christmas rush, closure of the Holyhead Port in Wales has led to travel and freight disruption and concerns that many gifts and post won’t arrive on time in Ireland.
The Welsh port has been shut since December 7 after Storm Darragh. It has since been confirmed that it won’t reopen until January 15.
The port confirmed the closure followed damage to the Terminal 3 berth and said the damage was still being assessed.
“We are sorry for the disruption this has caused. The safety of our colleagues and customers is our first priority and we will only permit ferry services to recommence once we are sure it is safe to do so.”
13,000 passengers use the route daily over eight sailings while thousands of passengers from Britain would have been reliant on the ferry service to get to Ireland for Christmas. Two million passengers use the route every year. The route is the busiest between Ireland and Britain with Stena Line and Irish Ferries operating four daily sailings.
The Irish Road Haulage Association said: “We have drivers and vehicles lying idle because they are stuck in Holyhead at this moment.”
Irish Ferries said the company remained “actively engaged with alternative British ports to facilitate access for our vessels and help alleviate the significant pressure on both the freight and passenger markets."
Stena Line says it is offering “sailing for passengers and freight from Dublin to ports in Birkenhead and Fishguard.” However, Plaid Cymru (Welsh Nationalist Party) leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has asked for assurances regarding the long-term viability of Holyhead Port.
“Were there underlying problems?” he asked.
Earlier, Taoiseach Simon Harris warned that there are concerns for people who had bought gifts for Christmas and also those who were hoping to travel home to see family.
