The FAQs provide further information on Parc Cybi, Holyhead Border Control Post (BCP).
Contents
What is the role of the Border Control Post?
The site would be used as a location to inspect goods arriving into the UK via the Port of Holyhead.
The plans include parking areas for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and other vehicles as well as security measures and facilities to enable the checking of vehicles entering and exiting the site.
There would also be office buildings, staff and driver welfare amenities.
Why this location?
The site is close to the Port of Holyhead and is in close proximity to the A55, a key HGV route for accessing mainland Wales from Anglesey. Additionally, the Parc Cybi site is already designated for commercial development by Isle of Anglesey County Council.
Can the size of the proposed BCP change?
What is the construction timeline?
The construction work began in April 2023 and is due to be completed to allow the site to become fully operational by mid to late 2024.
How would impacts be managed during construction?
There will be activity on site throughout the construction phase expected to be throughout 2023 and 2024 until construction is fully completed.
Existing ecological habitats would be protected, and reinforcement and enhancement activities to encourage biodiversity would occur as outlined in the environment report. All work would be contained within the site boundaries.
What facilities are available for HGVs?
Temporary rest and sanitation facilities are currently available for hauliers at Plot 9, Parc Cybi.
Until construction begins, Plot 9, Parc Cybi will continue to be used as a HGV parking facility, The SDO is being amended to allow for the potential continuation of the site’s use for HGV parking. This is subject to future funding and agreement on how this can be managed.
How busy would the BCP be once operational?
The site is currently used as a lorry park and has a hardstanding area with capacity for 60 HGVs. This number has been revised as the site size has reduced.
Only a proportion of HGVs arriving at the Port of Holyhead would need to attend the BCP facility.
The estimated number is up to 15 vehicles per day. The site would have capacity to manage up to 30 HGVs at any one time, including holding lanes on site to keep traffic away from the local road network. A maximum of 30 staff are expected on site at any one time with 45 on site staff parking spaces currently planned.
How many staff are expected on site?
A maximum of 30 staff are expected on site at any one time including approximately 5 marshals required to safely manage vehicles and pedestrians within the facility.
How would traffic be managed?
Historical ferry movement data has been used to model the scenario for vehicles arriving and departing from the BCP. The capacity of the BCP and the external highway network is considered sufficient to cater for these expected movements.
Staff working on site would work different shift patterns depending on their role, shift changeover periods would be planned to occur outside of the traditional high peak hours, therefore minimising the traffic impact on the surrounding highway network.
Traffic congestion on the local road would be mitigated in the design of the BCP. HGVs would not be queuing to enter the site but held in lanes on site where they are security and safety checked before moving forward for inspection.
The on site capacity for HGVs exceeds the number of HGVs that would be anticipated at peak times, allowing space on site for overspill vehicles.
The arrival lane at the BCP entrance, before the security gate, would enable each vehicle to be stopped briefly to ensure that it is required to visit the site.
The entire length of the route from the A55 to the BCP is currently subject to a no waiting order which is denoted by the existing double yellow lines. The enforcement of this order will continue to be applied by Isle of Anglesey County Council.
What measures would be introduced to reduce noise once the site is operational?
The site layout would be optimised to ensure that noisy site activities are screened by the new buildings and face away from the residential area, with activity mainly facing the road and business park.
A noise barrier would be positioned alongside the access road. The position intended to fully screen the lanes from the south-west and south-east. The height and positioning could be subject to modification as the detailed design of the scheme is undertaken to ensure the required amount of noise reduction is provided.
HGVs that access the site would not pass by residential properties and there would be a single point of entry and exit for day to day use. A secondary emergency access is provided to be used only in special cases or circumstances such as fire/accident.
Drivers of all HGVs attending the site would be instructed to turn off their engines whilst they are parked or being inspected, this would include any engines used for cooling refrigerated trailers.
Up to 12 refrigerated trailers requiring assistance to keep their cargo cold would be able to hookup to an electrical supply, allowing the engine to be turned off and noise to be limited.
Idling in the lanes and temporary inspection zones would be limited to no more than five minutes per vehicle. This is to follow site operating procedures.
What measures would be introduced to reduce light pollution from the BCP at night?
What measures would be introduced to improve the visuals of the area?
A minimum of 10m landscape buffer of native mixed tree species would be planted between the existing bund of trees and the developable area to screen the development from west south west views of the site from those living in nearby residential properties.
Maintenance and management of this landscape buffer will happen for the lifetime of the BCP, to include replacement of any failed planting.
A Landscape Visual Appraisal included an Environmental Colour Assessment which proposes a colour palette for buildings and structures to ensure they sit within the landscape in an appropriate fashion.
Would the BCP create local jobs?
As the scheme is to be a permanent development, long term employment opportunities would be generated.
During construction, jobs will peak at around 160 operatives, mainly subcontractors to Kier the construction contractor. A framework agreement with Kier is in place which guarantees that Kier will create ten new jobs (five apprentices and five previously unemployed) and will host 18 work placements.
Once the facility is operational, up to 30 employees per shift with two or three shifts over each 24 hour period would be expected. These roles include; security, cleaning, marshals, stevedores, Local Authority staff undertaking document checks and inspections and Animal Plant Health Agency inspectors, as well as specialists in environmental health, vets and inspectors.
What other benefits would the BCP bring to the local area?
The BCP will create jobs, both during construction phase and during its operation.
During construction phase at least 40% of the subcontracted spend will be with north Wales small to medium sized enterprises, and up to £10 million will be procured from existing North Wales supply chains.
How would waste be managed?
The purpose of the BCP is to inspect goods coming into Wales. These goods do not include hazardous waste, such as chemicals, nuclear materials, etc. Any animal waste deemed hazardous will be handled appropriately.
A waste plan will be developed by the appointed operator which will explain how all waste on the site would be managed and handled safely.
Why was the Special Development Order consultation period 21 days?
The 2021 consultation ran for a period of 21 days from 24 March 2021 until 13 April 2021.
A second consultation on the inclusion of HGV Parking within the SDO for 21 days between 16 November and 6 December 2022.
Further information
UK Government’s Border Target Operating Model: The Border Target Operating Model: August 2023
Read the public consultation response to the SDO planning application: Parc Cybi Border Control Post: Special Development Order
Planning documents: