UK GOVT LOOKING AT DIRECT FERRY TO N.IRELAND FROM PORT

● Holyhead link mulled in UK-wide transport review:

ADIRECT ferry route between Holyhead and Northern Ireland and investment in the A55 are under consideration in the UK-wide transport infrastructure review.

North Wales’s rail links with England are on the initial Union Connectivity Review priority list.

The full report by Sir Peter Hendy also shows that attention has been given to the A55 and investment at Holyhead port (pictured), which is currently impacted by a fall in trade post-Brexit.

While not on the priority list, the report says stakeholder engagement has identified a new Irish Sea ferry route between Warrenpoint and

Holyhead as something to be looked at further before a final report is published in the summer.

Warrenpoint is in Northern Ireland and close to the border with the Republic of Ireland.

Before Brexit, around 30% of Holyhead freight trade was between the UK and Northern Ireland – via Dublin – but the market has been “distorted” since January 1 and more goods have switched to direct UK/Northern Ireland routes.

A new direct route would cut out the Republic of Ireland – although checks on goods going from Great Britain to Northern Ireland are also supposed to be introduced once a grace period has ended as NI stayed in the EU’s single market for goods under the Brexit deal.

The report also mentions better port capacity at Holyhead and extra investment in the A55.

It has been welcomed by Conservative politicians in the region but Plaid Cymru said the review would further divide Wales and continues an “all roads lead to London” obsession.

Conservative Ynys Môn MP Virginia Crosbie said: “The inclusion of Ynys Mon in this review is brilliant news and it puts the need we have for better transport infrastructure in ministers’ minds ahead of the full report from Sir Peter in the summer.

“Until then I won’t stop making the case for an improved A55. With a proposed £4.8 million government investment in a hydrogen hub already announced, we need the best possible main arterial roads to make sure goods and people can move around.

“This is more really positive news for Ynys Mon. It shows our island is part of the UK’s strategic thinking and this will mean more opportunities going forward.”

UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “As we build back better from coronavirus, it is more important than ever we level-up every corner of our great country.

“Virginia has been a strong advocate for improving transport links to Ynys Mon and across North Wales since her election.

“Given its significance to the local area, it’s not surprising that Sir Peter Hendy has recognised the importance of the A55 in his interim report.

“I look forward to seeing his final recommendations later this year and continuing to work with Virginia on improving transport links for her constituents.”

Sir Peter Hendy said: “I was pleased to talk to Virginia Crosbie about the importance to the United Kingdom both of the port of Holyhead, and greater capacity and better journey times for passengers and freight to and from Ynys Mon and England. These important issues are specifically mentioned in the foreword to my interim report to the prime minister.”

The interim report said projects to improve rail links between North Wales and England would share in an initial £20m pot for exploratory work (see panel).

But Plaid’s Liz Saville Roberts MP said: “Yet again, we see that the UK Government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda is hollow, with the Hendy Review continuing Westminster’s ‘all roads lead to London’ obsession.

“Its aim is to further divide Wales into north and south spheres attached to England-oriented regional development strategies, hampering our all-Wales economy.

“It beggars belief that in 2021, Wales still has no north-south rail link. Proper cross-border links are of course needed. But any ambition to improve cross-border transport must prioritise improving transport links within Wales first as an essential foundation for improved cross-border connections.”