Here are plans to build a byepass road of Rosslare Harbour Village,
These were appoved prior to last election,
Hard to plan anything further until Brexit discussions come to conclusion,
Difficult to justify investment in a Port unless it can attract new business.
...the same management that run the awesome website
http://rosslareeuroport.irishrail.ie/home/
To be fair a website for a port isn't that important.
But...
The issue with Rosslare Port is essentially Irish Rail rape the decent income the port generates to subsidise the inefficient rail network.
The port would be much better out of Irish Rail hands, it's only then the other issues will be dealt with.
To be fair a website for a port isn't that important.
But...
The issue with Rosslare Port is essentially Irish Rail rape the decent income the port generates to subsidise the inefficient rail network.
The port would be much better out of Irish Rail hands, it's only then the other issues will be dealt with.
100% agree but I feel the Ports website shows the level of interest the current management have for the port, At the very least the info provided should be correct.
As a comparison check out Dublin airport website and compare Rosslare port website, both firms provide services in the travel industry (on vastly different levels) one is bang up to date, one is out of date.
I have to say I agree here. How many passengers check (or even know about the existence of) a ports website? The Port of Cairnryan website hasn't been updated in at least 5 years (work is expected to start on the new linkspan in January 2013 apparently) and has very little passenger information for instance, yet P&O happen to run a very competent operation there.To be fair a website for a port isn't that important.
But...
The issue with Rosslare Port is essentially Irish Rail rape the decent income the port generates to subsidise the inefficient rail network.
The port would be much better out of Irish Rail hands, it's only then the other issues will be dealt with.
100% agree but I feel the Ports website shows the level of interest the current management have for the port, At the very least the info provided should be correct.
As a comparison check out Dublin airport website and compare Rosslare port website, both firms provide services in the travel industry (on vastly different levels) one is bang up to date, one is out of date.
I would agree with your first point that the website can illustrate a wider outlook on the business.
I can't accept your second point as an airport website has an entirely different purpose to a port website in that an airport website is very much used by the travelling public and contains very essential travel information.
Not going to disagree with anyone as all opinions are valid, I think as it is a multi user port that at the very least the website should be up to date, the level of info that needs to be provided is obviously open for discussion, however a muggle travelling to a new destination will surely do some googling and maybe want to know about areas near port, parking, facilities available, rail links, nearby accommodation, etc...
They could obviously add boat times, trackers, webcams, freight info and much more.
In other news, was in the port early on Sunday morning and the Welcome to Ireland sign has been cleaned at last ! Hopefully not the last improvement for 2018.
Was in Rosslare yesterday and have to say that the terminal looks a lot tidier than on my last visit. The area outside the building has new bedding plants in the pots and the flags flying all look new and fresh. Inside everything looks and smells much fresher and cleaner. The coffee shop was open and the seating are has been upgraded.
I mentioned it to my other half that it looked like the place had been spruced up and she agreed that they'd definitely had some sort of deep clean ;D
To be fair the port has been cleaned up, lick of paint where needed, new speed limit signs at top of the hill, signs cleaned, new flags, flowers, road markings, damaged fencing replaced, also apparently terminal has been cleaned up ( I have not been in there recently)At least something is being done. Wouldn't hold my breath on that fast craft though!
It certainly looks more inviting than it did six months ago, the former railway track area is the only neglected area now, (still can't believe they moved the railway).
Port ramps/ Linkspan are all modern, so not much more they can do at the moment with the three main berths.
Maybe bring back a fast craft for the summer !!!!!!
To be fair the port has been cleaned up, lick of paint where needed, new speed limit signs at top of the hill, signs cleaned, new flags, flowers, road markings, damaged fencing replaced, also apparently terminal has been cleaned up ( I have not been in there recently)
It certainly looks more inviting than it did six months ago, the former railway track area is the only neglected area now, (still can't believe they moved the railway).
Port ramps/ Linkspan are all modern, so not much more they can do at the moment with the three main berths.
Maybe bring back a fast craft for the summer !!!!!!
Stena 'fully committed' to Fishguard ferry terminal
28 June 2018
The Stena Line ferry company has insisted it is "fully committed to supporting and developing" its terminal at Fishguard in Pembrokeshire.
Eight days ago it announced it had dropped a £5m plan to replace the flexible ship-to-shore bridge that allows vehicles on and off.
Local councillors described it a "worrying time" for the town.
The new commitment to the port came in an updated statement on Thursday.
The ferry operator had already invited tenders for the work to replace the Linkspan bridge on the Fishguard to Rosslare route.
But earlier this month it cancelled the plan and said it did not now "have a timescale for future developments".
The decision followed Stena's scrapping of plans for a marina and apartments at the Fishguard terminal in January to "focus all resources on our core business".
Local councillor Pat Davies said she was deeply concerned by Stena's decision not to proceed with the new ship-to-shore connection and that the company could pull out.
"I can't really bear to think about it actually and other people in our community feel the same," she said.
"There is no alternative employment in our area to pick up that shortfall."
Transport expert Dr Andrew Potter from Cardiff University said the port could struggle to survive without the funding.
"Stena Line has to look at the Holyhead route which is the main Irish sea route," he said.
"It may be that they are reserving their funds for Holyhead at the expense of Fishguard."
In response Stena Line has reissued its statement from earlier this month with an amended last line.
It said: "Stena Line does not have a timescale for possible future developments but remains fully committed to supporting and developing its ferry services at Fishguard."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-44644552
To be fair the port has been cleaned up, lick of paint where needed, new speed limit signs at top of the hill, signs cleaned, new flags, flowers, road markings, damaged fencing replaced, also apparently terminal has been cleaned up ( I have not been in there recently)
It certainly looks more inviting than it did six months ago, the former railway track area is the only neglected area now, (still can't believe they moved the railway).
Port ramps/ Linkspan are all modern, so not much more they can do at the moment with the three main berths.
Maybe bring back a fast craft for the summer !!!!!!
I was there a few weeks ago (10th and 15th June), the last time having been in the summer of 1989 when the terminal was brand new. The money had then run out to build enclosed walkways/gangways to all of the berths and a travelator in the enclosed walkway from what was then the Sealink berth; I recall a long walk to and from the terminal.
As I left a very empty Rosslare, on a very quiet Isle of Innishmore (which looks tired inside, but well looked after, and could somebody please explain the point of the split-level atrium at the stern? A waste of space and the windows need a good clean), I started to wonder what the future is likely to hold. Given what we now know about Stena at Fishguard, it seems there is a lot of over capacity on the southern corridor. Is the Innishmore too big for the route, even if Stena closes Fishguard down? Pembroke Dock, the first time I have been there, seemed very small and I can see why some of you have posted that the authorities might be glad to see the back of the ferry service.
The French services seem to be busier; there were lots of trailers parked.
I now see why Irish Ferries have put their investment into a service from Dublin to Cherbourg.
Should Stena close Fishguard, might they move the Cherbourg service to Cork?
Would Irish Ferries soak up Stena's Fishguard business and carry on from Pembroke?
Might Stena open a new service from Bristol to Cork? I know I have posted about this before and some of you thought not. Surely it might pull in hauliers from further into the south-west of England, in addition to south wales? The port is close to the M5 and close to Bristol Parkway. Or, does the the lock at Bristol render it a non-starter? Cork is a bigger port about to receive a lot of investment and with better road connections.
I saw the Stena Europe as she passed the Innishmore on her way to Fishguard; a fine looking ship and well looked after.
Looking forward to reading the responses of those better informed than me!
Matt
Stena and IF future plans will be Brexit influenced, personally I would think the status quo will stay as is, cannot see either operator leaving the routes. As also posted after your post, Stena have not given up on Fishguard.Exactly, with Brexit around the corner it’s not the time that make major changes. The southern corridor is an entirely different kettle of fish to the central corridor.
QuoteStena and IF future plans will be Brexit influenced, personally I would think the status quo will stay as is, cannot see either operator leaving the routes. As also posted after your post, Stena have not given up on Fishguard.Exactly, with Brexit around the corner it’s not the time that make major changes. The southern corridor is an entirely different kettle of fish to the central corridor.
The veranda windows on Isle of Inishmore and Isle of Inishfree are not dirty , their seals are blown out due to sea conditions, engine vibrations etc and leak in heavy seas. The cost of replacing them is not justifiable given the lack of use this area gets normally during refit cover on Dublin Holyhead route. I understand the Isle of Innisfree was in worse condition prior to sale than the ones on Isle of Inishmore mainly due to more severe engine vibration on the Isle of Innisfree.
The veranda windows on Isle of Inishmore and Isle of Inishfree are not dirty , their seals are blown out due to sea conditions, engine vibrations etc and leak in heavy seas. The cost of replacing them is not justifiable given the lack of use this area gets normally during refit cover on Dublin Holyhead route. I understand the Isle of Innisfree was in worse condition prior to sale than the ones on Isle of Inishmore mainly due to more severe engine vibration on the Isle of Innisfree.Bilt to a price. Get what you pay for
VGN certainly weren't known for overcharging. Its not like she's a new vessel either though!The veranda windows on Isle of Inishmore and Isle of Inishfree are not dirty , their seals are blown out due to sea conditions, engine vibrations etc and leak in heavy seas. The cost of replacing them is not justifiable given the lack of use this area gets normally during refit cover on Dublin Holyhead route. I understand the Isle of Innisfree was in worse condition prior to sale than the ones on Isle of Inishmore mainly due to more severe engine vibration on the Isle of Innisfree.Bilt to a price. Get what you pay for
Is there any source for "protest" in Rosslare?
The withdrawal of Oscar Wilde Rosslare/France has been rumoured for some time:
https://www.independent.ie/regionals/goreyguardian/news/fears-for-future-of-oscar-wilde-ferry-out-of-rosslare-port-34797948.html
Why would people be protesting now? Also, does it matter much to people in Wexford? How many people are directly employed by the Oscar Wilde in that region and on the indirect side, there are still other services from Rosslare.
Who wants to go to cherborg in winter?
Possibly isn't the demand, plus ticket prices would have to rise due to the extra costs with the longer voyage. Could also be capacity or fleet utilisation related. Brittany Ferries fleet policy in particular is quite complicated due to the charter agreements from the cooperatives that own some of the vessels I believe.Who wants to go to cherborg in winter?
Good point! Have never been there, always go to Caen/Ouistreham.
Why haven't Brittany Ferries opened a service from Cork to Caen? Too far? Given that Cherbourg, and Le Havre for that matter, are on 100 mile + long peninsulas, why not take the extra time at sea, save the drivers the fuel and go to Caen? Or, is the port just too rammed with the traffic from Portsmouth?
Matt
Was in Rosslare early on Sunday and spotted the new Stena Line billboard “Guardians of the Gaelic Sea” on the roundabout and also a sign telling construction traffic to stay left !
Did not have phone with me so no images.
Also Neptune Aegli was in port and seemed to have a few trailers waiting.
Also reading an old copy of the Wexford People apparently Rosslare Eurosport makes about 2.5 million euro profit per Annum, money which if kept would allow purchase of land between SuperValu and Roche Freight for Development of custom check halls and food check areas, Lorry parks etc in event of Brexit and also many other options if Britain goes through with this.
Simply route all freight out the back entrance and all checks could take place outside port, in dedicated area.
Am trying to find out what was proposed in the news for investment for the port yesterday. In monetary terms and possible project outline€15m over a number of years (5?) apparently. Sounds a lot but really isn’t to be honest. Linkspan replacement has been mentioned by some I believe - P&O’s new Cairnryan linkspan cost in the region of £13m including all the assosciated work (which included realignment) and Portsmouth just invested £9m in a new twin tier linkspan. I recall a couple of years ago Rosslare Port was making a couple of million a year so if this is still the case CIE are only reinvesting the money the port makes anyway!
Don’t think it’s linkspan related, that would be a very specific capital project and not where they need to look at the moment, three modern link spans at port, one a double deck should be sufficient and the other two can be converted to double deck quite easily.
Would expect more info in the People this week.
Great find Steven, well done.
Makes interesting reading, there are some positive signs in the article and in reality when you visit the port.
On a couple of issues there is a massive piece of land for sale for years next to Rochefreight which would be an ideal check area, for food and agri, accessible from back road out of port, if developed.
The motor way extension from Oylegate to Rosslare will happen but not for a long time yet, nothing to do with the port and traffic jams in Rosslare Harbour are rare, not a hindrance to traffic.
Well done to the new manager I think he might look at this forum occasionally and credit where credit is due, things do look better in the port.
When the terminal first opened it was a destination on Saturday/Sunday for teas/coffees/lunches/beers as people could freely access the car park and the “patio” area was accessible so there was always a buzz around the place and combined with travelers on the Ferries often full. These are different times, but even giving the restaurant free rent for a year or setting an income threshold would allow some ambitious individuals to take a punt, also give them the rights for a coffee hut in the standing area for cars and they can take some additional income from combining coffee with milk into a 3 euro cup of magic !
"Ongoing discussions with the NTA on the interpretation of EU regulation has been a critical factor in regretfully concluding that we are unlikely to operate the Oscar Wilde to France out of Rosslare in 2019 – a service which has been in operation continuously for 45 years, providing the South East of the country with an important tourism and freight link directly to the European market. The NTA’s approach to the Regulation has contributed to making the route commercially unviable into the future. Furthermore, the NTA interpretation of the EU Regulation specifically regarding land bridge (i.e. travel between Ireland to France through Britain), significantly penalises regional ports due to their lower frequency of back up ferry services from Ireland to the UK in the event of a cancellation of a direct Continental service"
See also the back page of local Wexford newspapers this week, which sets out the complexities of Rosslare Europort ownership, which includes UK Government!
Sorry I only have hard copy so no link.
See also the back page of local Wexford newspapers this week, which sets out the complexities of Rosslare Europort ownership, which includes UK Government!
Sorry I only have hard copy so no link.
I'm not sure this is true at all, the company was established via a legal instrument but it isn't state-owned, certainly the UK half. The UK government's shareholding in the Fishguard & Rosslare company went with Sealink upon privatisation and thence to Stena. So Stena legally hold half ownership of Rosslare and the Irish railways half ownership of Fishguard. But as stated they have agreement to treat Fishguard as if it were fully owned by Stena and vice-versa at Rosslare. And I can't imagine Stena being an impediment to development.See also the back page of local Wexford newspapers this week, which sets out the complexities of Rosslare Europort ownership, which includes UK Government!
Sorry I only have hard copy so no link.
Link to the article here
https://www.wexfordpeople.ie/news/confusion-over-ownership-may-have-hit-investment-in-rosslare-says-td-37784010.html
Pádraig Byrne
Complications surrounding the ownership of Rosslare Europort are likely to have been a major factor in the lack of investment seen there in recent years, according to Fianna Fáil Deputy James Browne.
After doing some digging, Deputy Browne believes he's gotten to the bottom of the ownership issue and has raised the matter on several occasions in the Dáil with Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney.
'Basically, I've done a bit of digging on this, and Rosslare Europort was established under the Rosslare Fishguard Harbours Company 1898 by UK statutory instrument. That covers the two ports and a bit of the railway at either side. Under this act, the British government delegated control of Rosslare to Iarnróid Eireann and Fishguard comes under the control of Stena Line. Essentially it's an arrangement like the ESB - it's state owned, but the government have very little hand or part in its running.'
'Effectively,' he continued. 'The future of Rosslare Europort is in the hands of the UK government. They could opt to dissolve the company if they wished to. Now I'm sure Iarnróid Eireann would fight that every step of the way, but hypothetically, it's possible. I don't think Britain has any particular economic or political interest in the port, it's just not on their agenda, until the Irish government puts it on their agenda.'
'Maybe in the wake of Brexit, the UK government will be happy to keep a port in the EU,' Deputy Browne added. 'I'm not suggesting that we'll start to see British navy ships down in Rosslare or anything, but it's something that needs to be resolved.'
Deputy Browne has urged the government to reach out to the Departments of transport and foreign affairs in the UK in a bid to sort out the ownership once and for all. He says a piece of legislation needs to be passed in both the UK and Ireland.
'If we want to get the port back into Irish hands, we need to go to the UK government and say it,' he said. 'Nobody really knows who has the final say on the future of Rosslare and I think that's been a problem. Iarnróid Eireann were quite happy to have the government take over the port and to walk away, but they were given control by UK statute. I think that's been a reason for a failure to invest in Rosslare.'
Wexford People
OW won't be back she's sold. Innisfree won't be back she's too small.
If Stena were to move french service to Dublin, isn't there a shortage of berths already? Having been forced to use the WB Yeats because of Pont Aven problems, we used Dublin for the first time. WHAT A DUMP. Poorly signed from the tunnel, boxed in by HGVs, and the view of stained chimneys and the foamy poor quality effluent from the sewage works - Rosslare is quite picturesque, plus no eflow or tunnel tolls.
you still have to get to rosslare.The M11 will soon open up as far as Oilgate later this year, and environmental impact investigations will start soon for the last leg to Rosslare. Such investment suggests someone has got faith in Rosslare as a valuable port. Also saves extra four hours on ferry to France, even quicker if Roscoff is in the equation.
It takes WB Yeats 4 hours to come level with Rosslare. OK it takes 1.5 hours Dublin to Rosslare by car, but some holidaymakers reckon that this is part of their holiday; far better than the industrial landscape at Dublin Port.It's actually three hours more to Cherbourg from Dublin not four , The ship sails across at an angle down the Irish Sea . If it were to sail from Dublin to Rosslare Port it would be four hours , but it doesn't . Plus the drive time from Dublin to Rosslare is just over two hours not an hour and a half and more like nearly three hours in reality . So no time saved by going from Rosslare for those travelling from north of Rosslare .
According to Marine Traffic, WBY departed Dublin at 16.38, so that's 3 hours 22 minutes.
Is the 1 hour difference between WBY and Stena Horizon because WBY is a faster ship?
Is the 1 hour difference between WBY and Stena Horizon because WBY is a faster ship?Speed and distance , Dublin is only 67 nautical miles further from Cherbourg ,
WBY has more power than epsilon and comfortably makes the voyage.At what price in higher fuel costs?
WBY has more power than epsilon and comfortably makes the voyage.More power maybe but also much bigger , interestingly Epsilon is faster at 24 knots to WB Yeats 23 knots , so size doesn't always matter .
On Monday's sailing WB Yeats was an hour late into Cherbourg on Tuesday, and a similar amount on a return trip we did at the end of May.Is the 1 hour difference between WBY and Stena Horizon because WBY is a faster ship?Speed and distance , Dublin is only 67 nautical miles further from Cherbourg ,
Cost per combined passenger and freight unit will be lower when she is full.WBY would have to be going some to be more cost efficient than a Visentini.
Relatively recently a lovely road to Larne was built which resulted in a total of zero extra services and no increase in demand either to speak of. Its also closer to Scotland than Belfast ::). Don't underestimate how much most people value the convenience of a port near their doorstep. In fact, is that not what this whole Ireland to France "debate" is all about - people in Wexford and other places convenient to Rosslare not being happy because they have to do what people in Dublin (which is by far the largest population centre in the country, not to mention its convenience for those of us to its North) have had to do all along? The new road argument could be flipped on its head as making it easier for people around Rosslare to get to the Dublin services anyway!you still have to get to rosslare.The M11 will soon open up as far as Oilgate later this year, and environmental impact investigations will start soon for the last leg to Rosslare. Such investment suggests someone has got faith in Rosslare as a valuable port. Also saves extra four hours on ferry to France, even quicker if Roscoff is in the equation.
Whilst the M-way argument does work both ways, the access/egress to Dublin is appalling. The queues for the tunnel, the badly maintained approach roads, lots more HGV traffic, nowhere to park up if you're early, and no services bar for the terminal. Plus the WBY never arrives on time, and I don't mean by a few minutes (been on it three times this year and been an hour late at least even in good weather). Anyway why did IF dock the WBY at Rosslare as its' first stop in Ireland?
Whilst the M-way argument does work both ways, the access/egress to Dublin is appalling. The queues for the tunnel, the badly maintained approach roads, lots more HGV traffic, nowhere to park up if you're early, and no services bar for the terminal.
Irish Ferries are learning some leasons with WB Yeats configuration on Dublin Cherbourg, Its not as suited to holiday traffic as Oscar Wilde.One "lesson" they are learning is they have Epsilon's freight capacity with significant passenger capacity but only have to pay the running costs of one ship instead of two! A Ro-Pax like W.B YEATS has a lot less costs in terms of overheads than a vessel such as Oscar Wilde. The design of W.B. YEATS was very deliberate and is much about minimising costs.
Dont be surpised if they have a 2nd vessel more suited to tourist traffic operating out of rosslare next summer.
(btw trains from Dundalk do not go to Rosslare anymore).
Its a bit of a chicken and egg situation though as regards trains and buses. The operators will say that there's not sufficent demand from foot passengers for their services but if the timing of buses/trains dont connect with ferry arrivals the demand wont increase.
Thanks for that giftgrub! Interesting times ahead!
Anyone know what the announcement is regarding the ports future and when it is due? Investment? New routes?
What ships will they be using?
Possibly Etretat and Scottish Viking?
Image of Rosslare posted online by The Coffee Dock Rosslare HarbourBrilliant photo , well done .
Image of Rosslare posted online by The Coffee Dock Rosslare HarbourBrilliant photo.
Optima Seaways has just left Rosslare at 14000 02/01/2021. 1st sailing of the new DFDS Rosslare Dunkirk route.
Cant seem to find much photos or clips on Twitter yet anyway
She?s on the 6.01 news in a bit.