The future of Fishguard’s ferry port is back in the spotlight as plans to upgrade facilities are welcomed by Secretary of State for Wales, Peter Hain.

Mr Hain met recently with representatives of Stena Line, development company The Conygar investment Company PLC an d The Crown Estate, which outlined plans for Fishguard port.

He was told of new plans for a multimillion pound redevelopment which would provide state-of-the-art facilities for the most modern ferries.

Stena Line confirmed that it is considering a significant redevelopment plan for the port of Fishguard, which would also incorporate a proposed new marina.

The company said that the option being considered involved the construction of another modern berth and ramp as well as reclamation to create extra land for possible future development.

Mr Hain said: “I welcome the schemes outlined by Stena Line and Conygar for investments in the ports of Holyhead and Fishguard. These ambitious and far-sighted projects represent real opportunities for the continued development of the port and ferry operations and for economic regeneration in north and west Wales.”

Fishguard port is also earmarked for a marina development, supported by The Crown Estate, Welsh Assembly and Pembrokeshire County Council as part of plans for economic regeneration in the region. Plans for a marina were put on hold because of a High Court case concerning ownership of the foreshore and seabed at Fishguard, which was finally settled in The Crown Estate’s favour last year.

Area Director for Stena Line’s routes across the Irish Sea, Michael McGrath said: “We are very encouraged by the support expressed by Peter Hain and look forward to working with all relevant parties to move these projects forward which are critical to our business and the local economies.”

Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Cheryl Gillan, also attended the recent meeting and said she was hugely impressed by the scale and vision of the scheme, which is sure will receive enormous public support.

“More than 200 people are currently employed in connection with the ferry operations in the north of Pembrokeshire. This is extremely important in a largely rural area. The Welsh economy needs substantial projects of this order and I am delighted they are progressing so well,” she added.

The Secretary of State’s announcement has been applauded by Councillor John Allen-Mirehouse, deputy leader of Pembrokeshire County Council.

Councillor Allen-Mirehouse, who is also the council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said he was excited by the project planned for Fishguard.

“This is excellent news not only for Wales but for the economy of Pembrokeshire” he said.

“If the Fishguard scheme goes ahead, it will secure the future of the port and the crucial employment and trade it brings to the county for very many years to come.

“The fact that it has the full support of the Secretary of State for Wales is particularly encouraging. The investors can feel confident that this scheme is being supported at the highest level.”