A HARD BREXIT RISKS PEMBROKESHIRE PORTS

The Conservative Government has failed to prepare for a hard Brexit and now there is a ‘strong likelihood’ that we risk the future viability of our Pembrokeshire ferry ports

Following fears by Pembrokeshire County Council that there is a ‘strong likelihood’ that ferries could be re-routed away from Pembrokeshire, Welsh Liberal Democrats have condemned the UK Government for failing to adequately prepare for Brexit.

The concerns by Pembrokeshire County Council pose numerous questions about the future of our local ports and investment in our transport infrastructure after Brexit.

This follows reports in The Irish Times that Irish Ferries and Stena Line, with routes between Pembrokeshire and Rosslare, are expected to run daily ferries from Ireland to France from January. Hauliers in Ireland have pushed to avoid the hold-ups and bureaucracy of an unnecessary border check on their way to Europe. The service will allow freight transport between Ireland and the rest of the EU to entirely bypass the Welsh ports of Pembroke Dock and Fishguard.

The National Audit Office (NAO, Nov 6 2020) reported that there was a “risk that widespread disruption could ensue.” The report adds that ‘some of this uncertainty could have been avoided’ if better preparations had been made by the government.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds commented:

“This is yet more evidence of the impact of poor planning and infrastructure preparation that the government is having upon our local economies.

“We have lost such a large number of jobs within Wales already during Covid that we simply cannot see yet more highly professional and skilled jobs leave Pembrokeshire. We will never get them back.

“If passenger and cargo levels fall, routes will be cut and potentially one of Pembrokeshire’s two ports could close. That would be disastrous for the local economy. Westminster needs to step up and ensure the smooth running of our ports continues from January.”

Tina Roberts, Preseli Pembrokeshire Spokesperson said:

“The ports of Pembroke Dock and Fishguard make a vital contribution to the Pembrokeshire economy and the economy of Wales both directly and indirectly. This lack of planning will have devastating consequences for these ports and the jobs, trade and tourism they support.”

Alistair Cameron, Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd Candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire added:

“Without these essential ferry routes we may fall even further back in our wish to see Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire get the transport improvements we need to improve our links to the rest of the UK. These improvements are vital for trade and tourism in West Wales.”