Key points
- £51m had been spent on the Holyhead border control post by the end of 2024-25, £44m of it from HM Treasury.
- The site on plot 9 at Parc Cybi was an HGV parking area before construction began.
- The Welsh Government decided not to commission and staff the post in June 2025.
- The nearby Roadking truck stop closed after HMRC took over the site.
- Councillors want proper parking, toilets and washing facilities for drivers.
“People in Holyhead have had enough”
The issue was raised at a meeting of Anglesey County Council’s corporate scrutiny committee in October. Councillors said drivers heading to Ireland park in lay-bys and shopping centre car parks in Holyhead because there is no official truck stop.
“The people in Holyhead have had enough of trucks parking up everywhere,” said Cllr Dafydd Rhys Thomas, who put the cost of plot 9 at “at least £52m”. Cllr Jeff Evans added: “They have to have toilets. It is a major issue.”
Deputy leader Cllr Robin Williams said the former Roadking truck stop on Parc Cybi “was ideal for the lorry drivers”, with toilets, showers and other facilities. It closed after HMRC took over the site for a customs facility after Brexit. One supermarket has since added new parking rules and cameras.
The North Wales regional emergency planning service told the committee that it is working with partners, led in part by the Welsh Government, on stacking plans for port delays, including toilets for drivers.
Built for 15 lorries a day, never used
The border control post (BCP) was meant to check animal and plant products arriving from Ireland after Brexit. According to the Welsh Government, the 15-acre site on plot 9 at Parc Cybi, 1.7 miles from the port, was expected to handle up to 15 vehicles in a typical 24 hours, with up to 30 staff. It is designed for all sizes of HGV.
The Welsh Government signed the construction contract with Kier in February 2024. At that time, the UK government had promised £47.8m.
In June 2025, Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies told the Senedd that the Welsh Government would not complete the final commissioning and staffing of the post. HM Treasury had paid £44m of the £51m spent up to the end of 2024-25. The building is being kept ready as a possible BCP, but the planned UK-EU agreement on food and plant checks may mean it is never needed.
Before construction began, plot 9 was used as a temporary HGV park. trans.info reported in 2022 that a 60-space HGV park was planned at the border control post.
The busiest port on the Irish Sea
Holyhead handles more than three-quarters of GB imports from Ireland. Any disruption quickly fills the A55 and the town’s streets with lorries. When storm damage closed the port in December 2024, hauliers faced weeks of problems, and one haulier reported losses of around £50,000.
Councillors want the Welsh and UK governments to bring land on Parc Cybi back into use for drivers. For now, the building sits empty behind its fences, and drivers waiting for an early ferry look for a lay-by.
What drivers should know
Until new parking is agreed:
- there is no official truck stop with facilities close to the port,
- some supermarket and retail car parks in Holyhead have cameras and time limits,
- matrix signs on the A55 warn of port closures and delays, so it is worth checking ferry times before setting off.
