Securing Freeport status can deliver real, transformational change for communities across Anglesey and the wider North Wales region.

The all-important Anglesey Freeport bid is due to be submitted to both the UK and Welsh governments tomorrow (Thursday, 24 November).

Jointly developed by the Isle of Anglesey County Council and Stena Line – owners of Holyhead Port and major local employer for 27 years – it has the potential to boost the local, regional and national economy at an uncertain time.

Freeports remove barriers to trade and provide easements that simplify how businesses can operate. According to initial modelling estimates, the freeport would deliver a £1bn increase to UK GDP, including new, high-salary jobs, in the range of 3,500 to 13,000 across the region.

The county council has asked both governments for their backing, in its own letter of support for the ambitious bid.

Its chief executive, Dylan J. Williams, said, “We’re pleased to have been able to work alongside Stena Line, with which we have a long and mature working relationship, to prepare this important Freeport bid. We believe it can deliver real, transformational change to the communities of Anglesey and North Wales, especially deprived areas such as Holyhead, which home to the second largest roll on/roll off port in the country.”

“The county council fully supports the objectives of the bid which have the potential to create significant new investment and additional funding streams to help develop new infrastructure which otherwise would not be available.”

He added, “All importantly, we would see wider socio-economic benefits as well as new supply chain and employment opportunities for our young people, keeping them on Anglesey and maintaining local communities.”

Freeport status would also provide a significant boost for the county council’s Energy Island Programme - which aims as 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.

Anglesey has suffered from stagnant growth and job losses for a number of years, with hundreds of well paid, previously secure jobs being lost across many sectors.

Freeport status could help arrest this decline of our communities, ensuring that young people, in particular, would not have to leave their communities to look for work; and enhance and strengthen the Welsh language and culture here on the island.

Deputy Council Leader and Economic Development portfolio holder, Councillor Carwyn Jones, added, “We are excited by the potential job creation and investment opportunities Freeport status would bring.

“A Freeport would be a key pillar in creating long term, sustainable economic development on the island and across the region. Too many people, particularly our young people, feel they need to leave the island to get decent jobs and a secure future. We want that to change, and it can.”

He added, “To do this we need the investment a successful Freeport bid would bring to reinvigorate the local economy in a long-term and sustainable way. This will enable communities that are healthy, thriving, and prosperous, as well as keeping the Welsh language alive on the island. That is the key to a secure future for the people of Anglesey and indeed north Wales.”

The Freeport bid has the backing of 17 major businesses from a range of sectors and industries, including Rolls Royce, Bechtel and Last Energy, along with major educational partners such as Bangor University. It’s hoped it would also lead to the establishment of a secure customs zone at Holyhead and other sites on Anglesey, with special tax and tariff arrangements designed to attract major domestic and international investment.

The local public are now being asked to unite behind the bid and show their backing for this once in a lifetime opportunity for the region by registering their support at angleseyfreeport.co.uk

Ends 23 November 2022