Holyhead out of action until 15th January (earliest)

CrabRevolution

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122994738#Comment_122994738

I'm not sure if you're trying to disprove my point, but what you're saying makes total sense; Irish companies have identified the suppliers and markets which are the most appropriate to their needs in terms of value, logistics etc. whether that market be in the UK or China.

I'm referring to posters who say that Irish companies are "too dependent" on "taking the easy option" of using UK suppliers/buyers and instead should "wean ourselves off the UK market" in favour of EU markets. All for no discernible reason.

As an aside, I'm extremely dubious of 50% of the worlds ICU ventilators having been produced in Ireland. 1. Because I can't find any source for it, and 2. Medtronic in Galway were the only notable manufacturer of ventilators in Ireland (they've since ceased producing ventilators entirely, which further adds to my suspicion). I simply refuse to believe that one factory in Galway was producing as many ICU ventilators as global giants like Philips, GE, Getinge, Draeger, Hamilton etc. combined. I work in the Medical Devices field myself, and to be honest I'm not sure I've ever even seen a Puritan Bennett (the Medtronic brand) ventilator in Ireland.

donkey balls

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122989929#Comment_122989929

In all the years going via holyhead I've never seen a LOLO ship at the port. Do you mean RORO as in the ones used by Stena and Irish ferries. One thing I have noticed since Brexit kicked in that both boats are not jam packed like they use to pre brexit.

selectamatic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122998386#Comment_122998386

Container on a lorry is what I was referring to so ya RORO. Container being a bit of a catch all term too whether that be a refrigerated unit, or proper shipping container.

I was merely pointing out it's still our fastest route so will still be logistically significant but ya the bit of diversification Brexit forced upon us hasn't been a bad thing really.

road_high

so, how is 15th January looking? Only two weeks away now. Any update on what repairs they’re doing?

Not made with hands

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123000792#Comment_123000792

I don't think anybody is expecting anything to open on the 15th.

And even if it's announced they will be heavily booked on the alternative routes so I'd expect an incremental return.

KingOfCavan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123000806#Comment_123000806

I won't believe a word the Welsh Government says in relation to the reopening.

XsApollo

will this be fixed by May?

I usually go Holyhead , I went Pembroke in August gone and I’ll never do that again.

patrickc

RTE news : Holyhead reopening on 16 January 'remains achievable'

http://www.rte.ie/news/2024/1230/1488550-holyhead-port/

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123001350#Comment_123001350

Thanks for that.

Even a partial reopening would be a help.

The Black Oil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123001308#Comment_123001308

Something amiss with Pembroke? I went there via Rosslare and returned last month without an issue. Long drive to Cornwall, sure, but limited flights down that way off season. Preferred having my own car. I'm keeping an eye on current developments as I'm heading to the Lake District in April, would prefer to take my own machine. Haven't booked anything yet.

Exiled Rebel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123001503#Comment_123001503

Would the Dublin ferry to Liverpool not be a better option for the lake district? Depending where you are located, then Belfast or Larne to Cairnryan and then drive south to the lake district is also another option.

Marcusm

Per Eoghan Corry, one of the bertha has passed inspection and can reopen on a shared basis on 16 January. That’s certainly good news.

road_high

Holyhead is better for north wales and northern/midlands spine of England. Also its Sail rail is a lot more practical than Fishguard or especially Pembroke. As a foot passenger a few times I found Holyhead excellent. Fishguard is a lot slower and less options which takes more planning and time. Holyhead has trains every hour and fast ones.
Fishguard or Pembroke dock make more sense for southern wales obviously and western England. I live in the south east of the country so I am only an hour or so from Rosslare- different story if you have a big drive this side also

XsApollo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123001503#Comment_123001503

I was going to Silverstone.
Congestion along the M4 is brutal.

The Black Oil

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123001583#Comment_123001583

Who operates the Liverpool ferry? When I've searched that route in the past it seems to be somewhat of a non-starter. Stena seem to have Belfast-Liverpool, don't think anyone has Dublin. I'm happy enough to do Holyhead, haven't explored Wales properly since I was young.

Exiled Rebel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123001757#Comment_123001757

Apologies, it used to be P&O but having looked online I see they canned the route in December of last year. Belfast to Liverpool wouldn't make sense if travelling to the lake district....it would much quicker to go Belfast to Cairnryan and drive down.

donkey balls

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123001757#Comment_123001757

Sea Truck/CLDN operate freight only between Dublin port and Liverpool, Stena line something similar.

Vic_08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123001757#Comment_123001757

Stena are temporarily running once a day Dublin - Liverpool while Holyhead is closed for cars and commercial vehicles only, no foot passengers.

Since P&O withdrew there is only unaccompanied freight Dublin - Liverpool from CLDN/Seatruck and Stena.

Ironically, the opening of just one linkspan may actually provide better options for many. As they will have to stagger times to fit there will more or less be a ferry every 3 hours rather than 2 running close together every 6 hours.

road_high

I honestly never understood the timings packed together but I assume it’s an operational reason to do with logistics of the port. Staggered timings would be much appealing for the odd time I travel as a foot passenger as I could pick and chose train times more flexibly according to the ferry.
Anyone a draft timetable of what they are planning?

LXFlyer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123002598#Comment_123002598

Aren’t the ferry timetables based on the most optional times for the freight hauliers?

That’s certainly the case on Rosslare-Fishguard where Stena changed the times a while back to better meet haulier preferences.

The revised ferry timings on that route had the unfortunate result of delivering far poorer and indeed for some sailings non-existent rail connections on both sides of the Irish Sea, which was unfortunate as both railway companies had made efforts to offer better connectivity.

donkey balls

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123002606#Comment_123002606

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123002606#Comment_123002606

Yep if you get the 2055 Irish ferries sailing you can be in London for 7am the following morning, A lot of airfreight loaded at Dublin airport for LHR normally sail on the 2055 crossing and gets delivered the following morning around the horseshoe. The return sailing for Holyhead the 0240 means drivers rolling off the boat around 0600 with the reefer units heading straight to the likes of Tesco CDC in ballymun with perishables on board.

Thankfully my company is a big CLDN customer on both the Liverpool/Dublin &Belfast/Liverpool sailings, So we have no problems in getting trailers booked on.

road_high

Has anyone the draft timetable of the new (staggered times) they are proposing?

road_high

I noticed that - the trains leave just before full docking either side for some of the trains alright which is a shame. Hopefully Irish rail will do more once they adjust to meet the Dart at greystones

Grassy Knoll

I think some of,the comments here overlook the fact that for the UK we are a major export market- 5th largest by value for them - we actually buy more of their goods than we sell to them. So for the UK Holyhead should be be a big deal. Think of all the Uk retailers here, stock is trucked in via the A55 and off at Dublin, onto the M50 and so on.

Clearly this is a significant engineering issue and needs to be done properly.

I wouldn’t be the first to throw stones, I’m sure we have examples of infrastructure here that was allowed degrade or underinvested in this country. We do have an advantage that much of ours is relatively new because it was so clapped out for so long …

road_high

in terms of bulk lower value items like food and retail thd U.K. is by far and away our biggest supplier- why I cringed with brexit as I knew it was going to be bad for Irish consumers

donkey balls

Yep the amount of trailers shipped unaccompanied is unreal between Dublin/Holyhead&Liverpool. Especially the major UK chains that have a presence on the high streets in Ireland. During the last recession when i lost my job I ended up going back driving, The crowd i was working for via agency(Zero hour contract) I would be bringing double deck trailers from the port up to the depot for Boots TK Maxx Debenhams dealz etc.

There is a lot of people who haven't a clue about the importance of Holyhead/Dublin port, In the role they play for exports/imports roughly 90% of our exports/imports go by road.

donkey balls

Saw a post on FB from Irish Ferries that they will resume operations 16th January with staggered times to Stena. Hopefully it get things moving probably be the first time since Brexit that the boats be rammed.