Ynys Môn MS Rhun ap Iorwerth called on Welsh Government to establish the long-term border infrastructure that is needed to help trade flow freely through the port.

The Member of the Senedd for Ynys Môn raised concerns yesterday about the post-Brexit impact that trade bypassing Holyhead Port will have on those whose jobs depend on the port during questions to the Welsh Government’s Counsel General and Minister for European Transition, Jeremy Miles MS.

He urged the Welsh Government to assist further by establishing the long-term border infrastructure needed to help trade flow freely, stating that this is what the UK Government have failed to deliver.

A letter from the Economy Minister has been sent to the UK Government, calling for support, both financial and otherwise, to deal with those significant new non-tariff barriers.

Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said: “Those whose jobs depend on the port of Holyhead will pay the price if changing trading patterns leads to a loss of trade permanently, shifting to direct passage.

"Whilst December stockpiling may be a part of the reasons for what's happened, the pandemic also, the elephant on that near-empty vehicle deck is the huge increase in trade on those direct routes.”

Rhun ap Iorwerth added: “The trade in Rosslare is up some 500 per cent.

"And, yes, it's longer, but there's no bureaucracy going that way, and whilst the Holyhead route has traditionally been cheaper as well as being more convenient, it doesn't take a genius to work out what a big increase in direct traffic is likely to mean for prices on those direct routes either.”