A £5million linkspan bridge at Fishguard Harbour which would comply with modern standards and allow for a larger range of vessels to use the port and for future expansion has been shelved.

The linkspan is the bridge part of the port that connects the traffic queues to the ferry. Stena Ports Limited invited tenders for a new linkspan last year.

At the time a company spokesman said that the current single lane linkspan, installed in the early 1970s was approaching the end of its life.

“The upgrading of the facilities is to replace the linkspan with a two lane linkspan design to comply with modern standards,” he said.

“The extent of the civil works and the new linkspan shall allow for a larger range of vessels to use the port and provide space for any expansion if this is required in the future.”

The spokesman added that there were currently no plans to expand the ferry service within the port.

Last April Stena Line said that the company was committed to examining the possibilities of investing in key elements of the port infrastructure at Fishguard Harbour.

He said that the tenders were being scrutinised and evaluated by Stena Line across several criteria including quality, cost and time to install.

In a statement issued this week the company confirmed that the project had been shelved.

“Stena Line has been working on development plans for Fishguard Port for some time and as part of that process, went to the market for detailed quotes on replacing the linkspan, the ship to shore connection and roadway,” said a company spokesman.

“After receiving a number of submissions and quotations, Stena Line has decided not to take on the tenders for this particular infrastructure but will continue to look at future options for the port. Currently, Stena Line does not have a timescale for possible future developments.”

Goodwick county councillor, Kevin Doolin, said the news had “come as a surprise”.

“It is contrary to what I have been told in several recent meetings I have had with Stena Line locally,” he said. “It does have potentially worrying implications for the future of Fishguard Harbour, which is obviously of concern.”

He said that he thought the decision must have been made at Stena Line’s head office and that he had requested a further meeting with Stena’s route manager for Irish Sea South, Ian Davies, at his Fishguard Office next week.