PORTS in Pembrokeshire could be cut out of European haulage routes if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, according to a representative of Ireland’s trucking industry.

A no-deal Brexit would be a “travesty for the Welsh ports”, Verona Murphy president of the Irish Road Haulage Association, told Parliament’s Welsh Affairs Select Committee on Monday, November 12.

Representatives of haulage organisations answered the committee’s questions on the future of transporting goods after the UK leaves the EU either with or without a deal.

Ms Murphy told the committee alternative shipping routes were being put in place in case of a no deal scenario.

“We are looking at alternative shipping routes which will circumvent the UK, particularly with our high-end product.

“We are exploring the possibility of getting to mainland Europe without the ‘land-bridge’,” she said.

 

Verona Murphy, president of the Irish Road Haulage Association.

This includes a ferry route between Rosslare and Cherbourg in France.

Mr Murphy added a new ship being prepared by Irish Ferries for the Dublin-Holyhead route “will most likely end up on the direct ferry route which will be Dublin to Cherbourg.”

MPs also heard that in a no-deal scenario, the Dublin-Holyhead route would be the only Irish port able to handle agricultural produce moving between the EU and the UK as it has a specialist inspection post.

At Fishguard and Pembroke, Ms Murphy said, the facilities were not yet developed, something which should be discussed.

In the latest issue of the Port of Milford Haven’s trade magazine OnBoard, interim chief executive Andy Jones talks about the need for a “clear forward vision” for the post-Brexit world.

 

Port of Milford Haven Interim chief executive Andy Jones

In his foreword he said: “Without the right level and focus of investment in road and rail networks, we harm our ability not only to be ready for the next big thing, but even to cope with the current growth of tourism, commuting and road freight.”

Mr Jones described the A477 running through south Pembrokeshire as an artery within the most economically productive part of Pembrokeshire which will be key to import and export from Ireland in the future.

What the politicians are saying

Simon Hart, Conservative MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, said a no-deal Brexit scenario should be avoided due to the heavy consequences it could have for people working across the UK, including in the haulage industry.

"When people describe it as resulting in short term disruptions we are not taling about one or two days, we are talking about people's livelihoods being at risk.

"The position I have taken from the outset is we have to have a negotiated settlement.

"This warning about the ports simply reminds us of the importance of going down the painstakingly difficult route of reaching an agreement.

"There is now the basis of an agreement before us in parliament. We have to weigh up its merits and compare it with other options.

"We need to try to avoid reaching March 29 with no negotiated outcome at all."

Marc Tierney, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, said: “Despite all of the promises by local Tory MPs over Brexit, after years of deal making, the risk to the Pembrokeshire economy is greater than ever.

“West Wales is one of the poorest places in Europe. We have relied heavily on funding being redistributed by the EU to support road-building, environmental protection and job creation.

"I spoke to colleagues on the Welsh Affairs Select Committee yesterday who share my dismay that so little consideration has been given to Pembrokeshire’s ports in preparing them for a bad deal like this one or a no deal which is what some like Jacob Rees Mogg want.

“This week, Rosslare Port has been earmarked a further €15million investment, whereas major projects such as replacing the linkspan at Fishguard have been put on the back burner.

"The throughput of road haulage between Rosslare and Pembrokeshire has anchored two ferry ports in Pembrokeshire for decades, placing us as a gateway to Europe, securing jobs and tourism.

"My real worry now, is that what was once a viable, year round industry could now be put at risk."