Damage caused by Storm Darragh has forced the Port of Holyhead, in Wales, to close until at least January 15, 2025, impacting up to 150,000 people’s Christmas travel plans.
Storm damage at the Port of Holyhead, which serves key routes between Britain and Ireland, has caused it to close for the festive period affecting thousands of people who planned to travel to Ireland for Christmas.
The port was originally due to reopen on December 20, however, Terminal 3 and Terminal 5 ferry berths will remain closed as a result of damage caused by Storm Darragh. Terminal 3 faced two incidents which impacted the berth on December 6 and 7, and also resulted in part of the structure collapsing.
Stena Line and Irish Ferries each operate four ferry sailings a day, travelling each way between Holyhead and Dublin. As a result of the port closing, all sailings have been forced to cancel, leaving around 150,000 who planned to use the ferries in the lead up to Christmas, to arrange alternative travel routes.
The Holyhead-Dublin ferry route is the second busiest in the UK and on average, two million passengers use Holyhead each year, with about 1,200 lorries and trailers using the crossing each day.
In addition, the closure has already led to Ireland’s national postal service abandoning plans to use Holyhead for Christmas deliveries as well as flight prices soaring, up to £500.
Holyhead Port Authority stated on its website: “Holyhead Port can confirm that the ferry berths in the port will remain closed until 15th January at the earliest.
“We understand that the closure of the ferry berths has had a significant impact on trade, passengers and port customers and are aware of the disruption this has caused.
“The safety of all persons involved in the berthing arrangements; including our staff, contractors and of course our customers is our number one priority and we will only permit ferry services to recommence once we are sure it is safe to do so.
“Customers with bookings to travel by ferry from or to Holyhead before 15th January should contact the appropriate ferry operator.”
Stena Line said: “It has been announced that the ferry berths at Holyhead Port will remain closed until at least 15th January. All ferry services between Dublin and Holyhead are cancelled until this time.
We are currently in the process of contacting all affected passengers. We understand the disruption this causes and are working hard to offer alternative travel options.
“For passengers who were booked to travel on Dublin – Holyhead from 20th December onwards, you can transfer your booking free of charge and with no fare difference payable to alternative routes including, Dublin to Birkenhead (Liverpool): motorist bookings only on this route; Dublin to Fishguard; Rosslare to Fishguard; Belfast to Cairnryan; Belfast to Birkenhead (Liverpool).”
Irish Ferries stated: “We regret to advise that due to the ongoing closure of Holyhead Port, Irish Ferries has cancelled all sailings on the Holyhead/Dublin route, up to and including 15 January 2025.
“We are currently contacting customers booked to travel on the route in date order to outline options available to them, including sailing on the Rosslare-Pembroke route, where we have added more space. We are also working with UK ports with a view to adding further sailings to/from Ireland.”
Gov.uk has also updated its foreign travel advice for Ireland, stating: “Disruption to ferry services The Port of Holyhead in Wales will be closed until at least 15 January 2025 due to damage inflicted by Storm Darragh. All ferry services between Dublin and Holyhead are currently cancelled. Check with your travel operator for further information and alternative routes.”
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