An Post guarantees delivery of 50,000 parcels in time for Christmas despite Holyhead closure

Ellen O'Donoghue

An Post is guaranteeing delivery of almost 50,000 parcels in time for Christmas, despite the closure of the Holyhead route.

There has been huge concern for companies and postal services as the backlog of shipping poses a big challenge in the run-up to Christmas following the damages caused at Holyhead during Storm Darragh.

Head of corporate communications at An Post, Anna McHugh, said everything An Post receives to its hubs will be delivered .

However, she said it is important customers check their UK delivery date with the retailer.

"Many of the UK retailers have now found ways into Ireland and are still going to be able to deliver on time for Christmas," she said.

"Shoppers really need to check with each individual retailer to see what kind of delivery date they are promising.

"Everything that we receive by the 21st of December, we will be able to delivery in time for Christmas."

Minister of State at the Department of Transport James Lawless said he had a constructive meeting on Sunday evening with Welsh Government, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates, and Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans on the difficulties with Holyhead Port following Storm Darragh.

The ministers agreed that they would work in full cooperation over the coming 10 days in the immediate term to ensure that freight and people can be transported as efficiently as possible across the Irish Sea using a range of alternative ports to Holyhead.

The ministers agreed that this issue is a priority for both governments, with officials and ministers set to engage on a daily basis over the coming week.

The ministers are also in agreement on the importance of the Holyhead Port operator providing reliable and up-to-date information to the public and the logistics sector as work to re-open the port continues.