Holyhead Breakwater gets ?40m in grant and loan from Welsh and …

Welsh Government has announced a £40m funding package – including support from UK Government – to secure the future of Holyhead ^[1] Breakwater. The historic structure was built between 1848 and 1873 using rock from the nearby Holyhead mountain.

But over the decades rock in front of the vertical wall has been steadily lowering as waves slowly grind down the rock into smaller pieces and wash them off the mound. There are concerns that unless action is taken this will leave the vertical wall at risk of collapse in the coming years.

The 2.4km long Victorian breakwater provides essential protection to Holyhead Port. Without it, the wave conditions would be too severe for the operation of ferries and could result in the loss of service and ultimately the closure of the Port. The breakwater also protects several businesses and premises from flooding.

Port owner Stena Line are working with Dutch engineering consultants Royal Haskoning on the construction of a long-term, robust refurbishment. At the Spring Budget in May UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced that UK Government would allocate £20m to Welsh Government to help fund the work.^[4]

This is now part of the £40m in funding – with a £20m grant and £20m loan towards the project.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Holyhead Port is an important asset to North Wales. This £40m investment in the breakwater will help ensure the port’s future and protect jobs. The port is of vital strategic importance. It plays a crucial role in the delivery of economic prosperity for the region and is also a key part of our transport infrastructure. Today’s announcement is a positive development for Ynys Mon and demonstrates the Welsh Government’s firm commitment to the island.”

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Ian Davies, Head of UK Port Authorities at Stena Line Ports Ltd, which operates the Port of Holyhead, said: “We welcome the investment support from the Welsh Government, in addition to the sum pledged by the UK Government earlier this year. This support contributes significantly to the planned £100m+ investment in the breakwater, which will ensure a long-term and robust refurbishment of this vital piece of infrastructure.

“As the second busiest roll on/roll off port in the UK, Holyhead Port is a key transport link between the UK, Ireland and the rest of Europe moving millions of tonnes of goods and transporting thousands of passengers each year. Looking to the future of the port and wider Anglesey ^[6], we are seeking to build with our partners Anglesey County Council on the award of Anglesey Freeport status to boost industry and investment in the region, which will serve to support the local and North Wales Economy. The refurbishment of the breakwater and securing the protection of the Port and surrounding area is crucial to that long-term plan and we’re grateful that the Welsh and UK Governments have recognised its importance.”

Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething said: “I very much hope that by resolving the breakwater issue we are giving confidence to the private sector to invest in the port and surrounding area, which will open up exciting new opportunities. Both the Welsh and UK Governments saw the ambition and promise in the Ynys Mon Freeport bid and agreed for it to proceed to the next stage.

“I look forward to the port outlining in its business case how the Freeport will play a key role in supporting the development of the new green industries of the future. I expect the Freeport to not only help create thousands of new jobs on Anglesey and in North Wales, but also support the Welsh Government’s ambitious Net Zero agenda.”

Anglesey Council ^[7] Leader, Councillor Llinos Medi, said: “This significant funding from Welsh Government is very much welcome. Refurbishing the breakwater will help safeguard the town of Holyhead, port operations and this important international link between Wales and Ireland.

“Securing the Breakwater is critical to the Holyhead Gateway scheme – delivered as part of the North Wales Growth Deal – which will see further investment in the Port, creating jobs and opportunities.

“The work will also be integral to the Anglesey Freeport initiative, which the County Council will deliver in partnership with port owners, Stena Line. This partnership has already seen considerable work, time and effort invested in Anglesey Freeport. Together, we are working to bring significant investment and long-term economic benefits to the island.”

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References

^{^} Holyhead (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} When the tourism tax could be introduced for holidaymakers to Wales (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} Llandudno seafront hotel rated one of the best in the UK has been sold (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} would allocate £20m to Welsh Government to help fund the work. (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} Anglesey (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} Anglesey Council (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter (www.dailypost.co.uk)