Asked by: Virginia Crosbie (Conservative - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how traffic flows through (a) Holyhead Port and (b) the land bridge route for hauliers have developed since 1 January 2021; and what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the effect of direct ferry links from the Republic of Ireland to Europe on the Welsh economy.
Answered by Simon Hart - Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
There has been a steady, continual increase in the roll-on roll-off freight flow through the port of Holyhead since the start of the year. Freight flows have increased each week since the start of the year and data for the last week in February showed there was almost double the number of HGVs travelling via Holyhead compared to the first week of January. However, freight volumes at Holyhead remain below 2020 levels.
I am having regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues about traffic levels at the Welsh ports and the effects of increased direct ferry links between Ireland and continental Europe on the land bridge route. The Government is confident in the prospects for Welsh ports over the medium to long-term. We are clear that the land bridge continues to be the most advantageous route for hauliers travelling between Ireland and much of mainland Europe in terms of costs and time. We are continuing to work with hauliers in the UK and the EU to ensure they fully understand the new systems and processes following the end of the Transition Period.
Asked by: Virginia Crosbie (Conservative - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Wales Office:
What steps the Government has taken to repatriate Welsh citizens stranded abroad as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by David T C Davies - Secretary of State for Wales
The Government is fully committed to helping stranded British nationals return home. Through our work with airlines and with foreign governments, we estimate over 1.3 million British nationals have returned to the UK via commercial routes and we have brought back more than 13,000 people on 63 chartered flights.
I am in regular contact with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Welsh Government on this vital work.