Fishguard Harbour Redevelopment

[giftgrub]

Here we go, posted on the Stena Enthusiast Facebook earlier, lots of reading and information on new linkspan etc.

Second link in the submission details the movement of the Mostyn linkspan to Fishguard.

https://publicregister.naturalresources.wales/Search/Results?SearchTerm=CML2533+&fbclid=IwY2xjawK_9adleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBYa1VCUlMxbkF2YlIxM0hQAR501nBQuE503pO7ALhS9RiUMXIvVPeRo5ueHMPkNlR955zGDcQ5Wo53NldLCA_aem_HqkBm4hM90_T9UOeXc62Yg

A 3 month shutdown of service from Fishguard will be required to complete the works with total contract expected to take 9 months and include first dredging of the Fishguard harbour area to deepen the water depth in the harbour area for the first time in years.



And some more here from the last time back in 2018 the last time this was planned, what's different now is Stena have bought the linkspan in Mostyn and will need to fit it into Fishguard.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fishguard-linkspan-replacement-harbour-revision-order

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5adf37a4e5274a0d85c1c53b/Non_Technical_Summary.pdf

[giftgrub]

Have gone through some of the details on this (Huge amounts of data on the various links) and the main information as above the works are planned to take place between Jan 2026 and July 2027, there is a three month closure of the port required so one would imagine they will target for this to be in the quieter Winter period rather than Summer, cannot find any mention of plans to use Pembroke as an alternative port but would assume they are in separate negotiations with Milford Haven port to possibly provide a service while the port of Fishguard is closed.

The side loading ramp (No longer in use but built when the Stena Normandica/St Brendan was on the route) is scheduled to be removed before these works commence.

List of works as outline are
Demolition of
o Disused RNLI slipway structure
o Buffer Dolphin
o Suspended deck structure
o 3 No. small disused kiosks

• Removal of
o Linkspan bridge, equipment and cabin
o Jack up barge

• Dredging with disposal at sea
• Reclamation
• Scour protection to the berth and dredged slope to the rear of the berth.
• Piled Reinforced Concrete Bankseat
• Tubular Steel Guide Pile
• Floating pontoon linkspan installation
• Terminal reconfiguration
• Temporary Works

Some great images of the port of Fishguard and the ferries that have served it over the years available on the following link

https://www.niferry.co.uk/photo-feature-50-years-of-roll-on-roll-off-at-fishguard/

and lets not forget the Stena Adventurer also fitted into Fishguard when Holyhead was forced to close in December 2024.

[giftgrub]

And the redevelopment is going ahead

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyqxq2p7yvo


https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/25252031.plans-stenas-15-5-million-fishguard-port-upgrade/

[giftgrub]

The side loading ramp removal has started this week in Fishguard, the road deck was being removed in early October and the frame and supports have started being removed this week.

Images on this link

https://share.google/ePCW5a7jkrcIUB2PT

A short video of the ramp in use a few years ago

https://youtu.be/Rc-EvMizGL0?si=yDZvx9weZBXPVHx5

https://youtu.be/wsxgITvisaE?si=4c-tEzpe6Ccqdtvn

[20knots]

Interesting info, thanks for posting.

There was a railway heritage event in Fishguard ferry terminal last weekend which Stena facilitated. Just learned of it retrospectively. Not sure if there are any permanent exhibits being added but a bit more on display about the fascinating history of the port would be a good idea.

Discover the Railway Heritage of Fishguard Harbour
South West Wales Connected Community Rail Partnership (SWWC CRP) are delighted to be collaborating with Stena Line to host a heritage event celebrating the history of Fishguard Harbour railway and the port.

Dewch i ddysgu am hanes y rheilffordd yn Harbwr Abergwaun

16 Oct 2025
South West Wales Connected Community Rail Partnership (SWWC CRP) are delighted to be collaborating with Stena Line to host a heritage event celebrating the history of Fishguard Harbour railway and the port.

The event which has been supported by Fishguard community run heritage centre 'Ein Hanes – Our History', will take place on the afternoon of Saturday 18 October at the Stena Line ferry terminal, bringing together local voices, stories and history to highlight the importance of the railway and port to the region.

This event is part of the nationwide Railway 200 celebrations, marking 200 years of the modern railway. The event is free to attend, thanks to funding from Transport for Wales (TfW) and Great Western Railway.

The day will feature a lively programme of talks, with contributions from local authors, historians and commentators of all ages, including short story slots for residents to share their own memories.

Alongside the talks, there will be:

A brand-new exhibition exploring the history of the railway and port
Model railway layouts showcasing West Wales modelling
Live 'in situ' theatre performances, with actors in early 1900s costume bringing history to life
Music from local musicians and prizes for the best visitor costumes
Stalls will feature local products, such as history books, vintage sweets, and apothecary items from nearby shops. Refreshments will be served in a volunteer-run café, operating on a donation basis, with proceeds supporting charitable outreach.

Philip Merchant, Project Officer at SWWC CRP said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the foundational contributions of the railway visionaries coming to West Wales and the subsequent building of the significant port which opened up a gateway to Ireland and America!"

A spokesperson for Stena Line said: "Stena Line is proud to support the railway heritage event at Fishguard Harbour by providing our facilities for this important celebration of history and transport. We believe in preserving our shared heritage and connecting communities, and we look forward to welcoming visitors as they explore the rich legacy of rail travel at the harbour."

Dr Louise Moon, TfW's Railway 200 Programme Lead said: "This year has seen events and activities take place across Wales and borders, and we are delighted to have one focusing on the important story of Fishguard Harbour. It is great to see railway heritage bringing communities together, and for more stories about our railway past to get the recognition that they deserve."

Visitors are encouraged to travel to the terminal by train from Fishguard & Goodwick and beyond, making the journey part of the experience. With parking at the ferry terminal limited, attendees are encouraged to arrive by train, on foot, by bike or through car sharing.

Source: https://news.tfw.wales/news/discover-the-railway-heritage-of-fishguard-harbour

[emd021]

Hopefully OK for me to add to this old post, but I thought I'd make a short note just to update the thread.

Looking at the Natural Resources Wales (NRW) website, it looks like a new  Marine Licence Application was sent to NRW in April this year, replacing the original one made in 2025 (linked in giftgrub post above).

Key item to note, from the covering letter in the new application, is the mention that they now wish to use a single lane linkspan bridge, where the original proposal provided for a two lane linkspan bridge.
   
The letter gives a little more detail on the reason for the change. Geotechnical site investigations found the seabed in the area of reclamation [needed to fit a two lane linkspan] to be poor, and this created a significant risk that the project could not be completed by Spring 2027. Stena line revisited their original requirements and satisfied themselves that a single lane linkspan bridge was sufficient. This change they hope will ensure that a new linkspan bridge and pontoon in place and operational by Spring 2027.

https://publicregister.naturalresources.wales/Search/Results?searchTerm=CML2612&sortBy=Date&pageNumber=2

[emd021]

Just an update - looking at the NRW website today, I notice the Marine Licence for the work has been approved on the 3rd September.

Quick look at the Stena site and no sailings appear to bookable on Fishguard-Rosslare between 22nd Feb and 5th April 2027 - not sure if these are an indication of the possible work dates?

[IFPete]

That ties in with Nordica's trip to drydock for gearbox Overhaul.

[giftgrub]

I was in Fishguard a couple of weeks ago and they are working on the access ramp towards the jack up rig, very hard to see what is being done, but assume related to the works, cars now board by going left from the marshalling lane (same direction trucks always went) rather than straight (when the second level ramp was there you went right of that, now essentially going left of that) and down to the linkspan, there was a big grey generator/engine on the left side of the yard, no idea where that was from and there was a very large thick rope across the bow ramp when boarding assuming it covers a gap in the ramp.


and just posted on the site as noted above by emd021

https://publicregister.naturalresources.wales/Search/Results?searchTerm=CML2612&sortBy=Date&pageNumber=1

Dated 29/09 from the introduction of the PDF

"SLPL operate the ferry terminal in Fishguard. Vehicles embark/disembark the ferries via a temporary linkspan structure which is nearing the end of its useful life. To safeguard the future of the port and provide a safe, long-term solution, SLPL wish to replace the existing linkspan with a new arrangement. The new arrangement consists of a pontoon restrained by steel tubular piles, and a replacement bridge structure spanning from the existing concrete deck to the new pontoon.
Civil engineering works are required to accommodate the new arrangement. These works include removal of the existing steel structures and jack up barge, dredging, piling, scour protection and repairs to the open piled concrete structure. New connections to the existing concrete bankseat will be required for the new bridge. Remedial works may be required to the bankseat to allow installation of new connections. Repair works to the suspended concrete deck approach will also be required. A new bankseat structure is included in the licence in the event that the existing structure is not deemed acceptable for the new bridge and traffic loads.
Partial demolition of the buffer dolphin towers is also required to allow installation of the new bridge.
In the event that the existing deck structure cannot support the proposed bridge, a piled bankseat structure is proposed. The structure would be constructed from precast reinforced concrete or a steel frame, supported by 6 steel tubular piles.
Plough dredging will be carried out beneath the existing jack up barge to redistribute soft material to allow more straightforward installation of rock armour scour protection.
It is proposed that all dredging will be undertaken by plough dredging, moving soft material from under the pontoon to the scour pocket in the berth immediately north of the linkspan structure.
Clean rock armour stone will then be placed onto the dredged bed in the general area beneath the new pontoon as scour protection.
A shutdown of the ferry operations will be required to construct the civil engineering infrastructure and install the new pontoon. It is expected that this shutdown will last approximately 2 months."