INCREASED lorry traffic in Galloway is set to continue after a Welsh ferry port was damaged in Storm Darragh earlier this month.
The Holyhead crossing at Anglesey will be closed until at least January 15 after a part of the structure of one of the terminals collapsed during the storm.
Its closure has forced drivers to seek alternative routes, with many choosing to cross at Cairnryan.
The Road Hauliers Association (RHA) stated there was a ‘substantial increase’ in HGVs using the port at the weekend with police issuing a warning to drivers on the A75 and A77 of ‘intermittent increased traffic’ on Saturday.
The increased number of lorries heading for Cairnryan prompted Operation Overflow to be activated with traffic being held at Castle Kennedy. Transport Scotland confirmed about 500 vehicles used the overflow facility at the weekend with the number steadily decreasing this week.
Extra ferry sailings have now been arranged at Cairnryan, Birkenhead, Fishguard and Heysham whilst Holyhead remains out of action.
The RHA’s policy and public affairs director Martin Reid has stated that his organisation had been able to make the case for a ‘temporary relaxation’ of some aspects of drivers’ hours rules which was helping to ease the pressures, he commented: “This is the busiest time of the year for most hauliers, and we welcome the governmental support in what have been difficult conditions since the closure of Holyhead.”
