Logistics UK provides written evidence to Senedd inquiry into the Holyhead Port closure

Logistics UK has submitted written evidence to the Senedd Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee’s inquiry into the Holyhead Port Storm Damage and Closure.  

Logistics UK highlighted that the closure of Holyhead Port and the Holyhead-Dublin route, which resulted from Storm Darragh in December, had a significantly negative and costly impact on the logistics industry during its busiest trading period.  

Logistics UK’s Head of Trade and Devolved Policy, Nichola Mallon said: “Logistics UK welcomes the opportunity to respond to this inquiry by the Senedd Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee into the Holyhead Port Storm Damage and Closure.  

“The closure of Holyhead Port and the Holyhead- Dublin route had a significantly negative and costly impact on the haulage and logistics industry at what should have been its busiest time of the trading year.  

“This incident highlighted the critical gaps in communication and coordinated contingency planning, the fragility of the port network, and the importance of ensuring port infrastructure and the port network serving the UK and its trading partners is resilient in the face of increasing extreme weather events and emergency incidents.  

“Logistics UK is aware of cases where drivers were parked up for up to 36 hours, in winter weather, waiting to get a confirmed booking with little to no rest room and welfare facilities. This lack of access to basic human welfare would not be accepted if it was a reality in any other industry and we should not expect our drivers, who provide a critical national service, to have to endure these conditions.  

“Logistics UK continues to make the case for improved, safe and secure driver welfare facilities across the UK, and provision of adequate driver facilities must also be a priority action within future contingency planning for exceptional events. 

“Logistics UK believes there is important learning from a contingency and resilience perspective to be drawn from this situation which will require a devolved nation and wider two islands response in partnership with industry.”