Thu, 16 Jan 2025

Town counts cost as ferries resume after storm

A full daily service to and from Dublin has reopened but one of the two ferry berths remain closed.

* Holyhead port, a major passenger hub between north Wales and Dublin, has partially reopened after being damaged by Storm Darragh on December 7.
* Two million passengers use the port each year, with over 1,200 lorries and trailers crossing daily.
* Traders report a significant drop in footfall and earnings since the closure, with some businesses experiencing losses of up to £14,700 due to cancelled bookings.
* The Welsh government has drawn up a temporary timetable for partial operations while the second berth is repaired.
* Business leaders are calling for a hardship fund to support affected companies, citing issues with supply chains and potential long-term impacts on local economies.
* The Irish government says the resumption of ferry services is positive news for passengers, freight operators, and the maritime sector.
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