Contingency Plans In Place To Avoid Traffic Jams In Holyhead
Roads around the UK's second biggest 'roll-on roll-off' port are going to be re-routed, over concerns about traffic jams because of new Brexit paperwork.
Last updated 28th Dec 2020
More than a thousand lorries cross the Irish Sea, via Holyhead in north Wales, every day.
From January the 1st, traders will need to fill out customs declaration forms.
Wales's first minister has described the government's planning as "shambolic".
Minister for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said: “We need to implement these contingency plans in order to do what we can to minimise any possible disruption for the port, community of Holyhead and wider area.
“We have never faced this kind of situation before and we have a duty to prepare for the worst possible scenario. We expect the busiest time for redirected HGVs to be towards the middle of January, and it’s possible but not certain, that the first few days of January will be relatively quiet. However, we must be ready for all eventualities.
“We will keep these plans under constant review and as soon as it becomes clear that we no longer require the contraflow, we will dismantle it.
“We have been working with partners across North Wales, including Anglesey Council, on these plans. Any reviews and changes to the plans will be done in full consultation with them.
“From the outset we have been clear that the UK Government’s approach on our future trading relationship with the EU would risk major disruption in Wales, particularly at the border.”