UK STARTS CONSTRUCTION OF IRISH SEA POST-BREXIT BORDER CONTROL FACILITY
Construction has officially begun on a new border control post in Holyhead, North Wales, which will facilitate post-Brexit checks on goods arriving from the Republic of Ireland. Scheduled to become operational in 2025, this facility represents a next step in the UK's post-Brexit strategy, four years after its official departure from the European Union.
Earlier this year, checks on EU agrifood products commenced at English Channel ports, but goods from the Republic of Ireland remained exempt due to the absence of suitable facilities at key west coast ports. Holyhead, a principal port for Irish goods entering Great Britain, will now play a crucial role in addressing this gap.
Notably, goods from Northern Ireland transported directly to Great Britain will not be subject to new checks or controls, following the UK government's commitment to maintaining "unfettered access." Lorries from the Republic of Ireland will still undergo spot checks, but the integrity of the UK's border controls is aimed to be maintained without imposing unnecessary burdens on Northern Irish trade.
Source: BBC