Anglesey freeport gets the go-ahead

The Anglesey Freeport will extend 45km from Holyhead port, covering the whole Isle of Anglesey, with four zones designated as tax or customs sites.

The successful bid was put forward by Stena Line and the Isle of Anglesey County Council. “We are thrilled by this decision, which is testament to the strength and transformative potential of our bid,” said Ian Hampton, executive director at Stena Line

“This is a significant achievement for the region, and it is an excellent opportunity to drive forward sustainable economic growth, green energy, jobs, and skills.”

It is hoped that the Anglesey Freeport will create up to 13,000 high-skilled, high-wage jobs over 15 years, increase UK GDP by £1bn by 2030, and increase manufacturing output across North Wales.

The announcement also signals the beginning of the process to revitalise the GB land bridge, which has suffered a 20% reduction in trade since Brexit. The freeport will reduce the need for hauliers to move goods around the southern tip of the UK, a process which is both environmentally damaging and inefficient.

“[Freeport status] will stimulate significant long-term job creation for local people as well as wider socio-economic benefits and supply chain developments,” said Dylan J. Williams, chief executive at the Isle of Anglesey.

“It will also provide significant impetus for the council’s Energy Island Programme – which aims to see the island become a hub for low carbon energy research and development, innovation production and servicing – and support the Council’s ambitious target of achieving net zero by 2030,” he added.