A temporary contraflow is now in place on the A55 between junctions 2 – 4 eastbound. The Welsh Government say the move is part of their contingency plans for the end of the EU Transition period.
As the Welsh Government’s official statement points out, as of 1 January, ferry operators will require freight customers bound for Ireland to link customs information to their booking. If they arrive without having done so, they will not be able to enter the port.
All HGVs turned away from the port will thus be redirected back to the contraflow to turn off at Junction 4 and join the westbound carriageway, which is reserved for redirected HGVs. They will then either be redirected to another site, or if no other site is available, they will be stacked on the A55 while they arrange the correct paperwork.
The Welsh Government also state that work is already underway on Plot 9 of Parc Cybi and the site is due to accept HGVs by mid-January.
Ken Skates, Minister for Transport and North Wales, has said that the authorities in Wales must be ready „for all eventualities” that could arise as a result of Brexit:
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.
Skates added that the controflow would be under constant review, and if it became apparent that it would not be required, it would be removed.
Photo credit: Eric Jones / Geograph UK