More details on new Holyhead border post for post-Brexit checks

MORE details have been revealed about the Holyhead Border Control Post that will carry out post-Brexit checks on plants and animals entering Wales from the EU.

Welsh Government’s planning consultation opened on Wednesday on the location of the border post, which is planned to be on Plot 9, Parc Cybi, near Holyhead port.

Following the end of the EU transition period a number of different checks are required for goods entering the UK.

At Holyhead inspections will be required on goods such as animals, plants and products of animal origin entering Wales from the Republic of Ireland – while HMRC also need to build a site to deal with customs and immigration checks.

Checks were due to be introduced in stages from 1 April and from 1 July, but most import checks have now been pushed back to January 1 2022 as UK border posts are not ready.

Subject to receiving planning permission, required site works could begin this summer.

The planning consultation is under a Special Development Order which is a contingency to ensure that the project can proceed at pace and save time in the planning process should this become a critical factor.

The UK Government has not yet submitted its plan for customs and immigration checks although it is understood that this is imminent.

Holyhead had seen a slump in trade following the end of the transition – partly related to Brexit but also due to pre-exit stockpiling and lockdowns. There has been a gradual increase in trade in recent weeks.

On average, around 25-30 HGVs are expected at the Parc Cybi site throughout every 24-hour period, with up to 40 at peak times.

Approximately 75 employees are expected to be at the site over a 24-hour period, although it is assumed that workforce numbers will be higher to cover these shifts.