Fierce anti-terror measures could hit Holyhead port

Jun 17 2009

Holyhead port

BEEFED-UP anti-terror security between Wales and Ireland could strike at tourism and Holyhead port, say worried bosses.

The Home Office is bidding to reform the Common Travel Agreement between the UK and the Republic of Ireland to fight terrorism and illegal immigration – which would see passengers forced to carry a passport or another official ID card, prompting fears it will deter passengers and create additional delays.

The Home Office themselves have admitted the cost to the UK’s tourist industry could reach £43.5m, with tourism in North Wales hit hard.

There are also major concerns that travellers and freight traffic will pass through the open border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland and then travel without documents to Scottish and North of England seaports.

Wyn Parry, port authority manager, said: "We believe that security and policing at Welsh ports is already very strong. Provision of even more onerous border controls should always be mindful of a fair balance between providing efficient and cost effective security.

"We believe there would be significant damage to the North and South Wales to Ireland travel industry since a lot of tourist travel remains quite local to the port areas and are a quick decision to travel, not necessarily planned in advance.

"There is no doubt that day trip travel is heavily dependant on there not being a hassle factor to contend with when coming in or out of the UK."

Anglesey MP Albert Owen said: "The proposal to introduce an identity card system and passport requirements for all travellers would be an additional burden on the ports.

"The proposal on carrier liability, with a £2,000 fine for every passenger who fails to carry a passport or an ID card, would impose additional unnecessary burdens.

"People will simply drift across the border from the Republic to the north and then across to the UK without any checks.

"That is the real fear for many of us.

"If the new measures on immigration control and everything else are introduced, they should apply between the Republic and the north of Ireland, or not at all."

Since 1922, a Common Travel Area has existed between Ireland and the UK, meaning passengers’ passports do not need to be checked.

But increased concerns over illegal immigration and terrorism have prompted a security re-think.

The Home Office said the free passage of travellers left a "critical gap" in its intelligence.