Brexit: UK-Ireland lorry traffic at Holyhead port slumps
Lorry traffic through Holyhead, the UK’s second largest port, has fallen to about one-third of its usual capacity, port operator Stena has said.
The company has also doubled its ferry service between France and Ireland, with more lorries travelling directly to mainland Europe.
Since 1 January, drivers have had to provide specific paperwork to take goods between the EU and the UK.
Ian Davies of Stena said he was confident traffic would pick up again.
The paperwork arrangements have come about as part of the new trading relationship with the European Union following Brexit.
Businesses and hauliers have been warned to expect “significant additional disruption” at the UK border in the coming weeks - in the wake of Brexit customs changes. Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said efforts to assist would be “redoubled”, but traders should ensure their paperwork was in order. Cargo traffic at Dover is expected to reach pre-Christmas levels again next week. It comes as major parcel courier DPD paused some delivery services into Europe – including Ireland – because of pressure caused by new post-Brexit red tape. Marks & Spencer also revealed that its popular Percy Pigs sweets were struggling to find their way across the Irish Sea to supermarket shelves in Ireland.