Calls for solution to address ‘missing link’ along Flintshire coastal path

Calls have been made for a solution to fix the “missing link” in a path which runs along the Flintshire coastline. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

It follows senior councillors backing proposals to improve access and create jobs in communities along the Dee estuary by creating a coastal park. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The county’s coastline stretches for approximately 25 miles, most of which forms part of the Wales Coast Path. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

However, there is currently a gap in the trail between Connah’s Quay and Flint, where walkers and cyclists are forced to divert along the busy A548 before returning to the coast. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Flintshire Council leader Ian Roberts now wants to see plans drawn up to address the situation after a previous bid to create a boardwalk was rejected. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The Labour politician said the decision was taken due to concerns about the impact on birds which live on the estuary. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Speaking at a cabinet meeting held yesterday (Tuesday, 18 January), he said: “One of the key issues which we all need to resolve fairly urgently is the missing link in the coastal path between Connah’s Quay and Flint. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Currently, it runs along the A548 on one of its narrowest sections through Oakenholt and past Flint, and across the very narrow bridge. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“There were various proposals to resolve this issue, including the path running across parts of the area on a boardwalk, similar to what they’ve got in Cheshire around Burton Marshes. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Unfortunately, these were rejected at the time by the RSPB and Countryside Council Wales, who were concerned it would clip the site of special scientific interest.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Plans to designate the area along the estuary as a single entity like a regional park were first drawn up in 2014 in a bid to attract visitors. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The move followed the creation of the Wales Coast Path two years earlier, which the council said had led to more interest in the county from tourists. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

While the local authority said some progress had since been made, officials believe renewed momentum is required to push the plan forward. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Cllr Roberts said improving the path between Connah’s Quay and Flint could form a key part of the proposals. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

He said: “Despite all the development that’s gone on along the River Dee, the birds are still there and they’re remarkably resilient. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“We really do need a sensible solution with the RSPB and Natural Resources Wales to the issues between Flint and Connah’s Quay. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“This potentially is a fantastic area and could be used for walking, cycling and recreational activities.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Andrew Farrow, the council’s chief officer for planning, environment and economy, said he would be happy to set up a meeting with the relevant public bodies to discuss the issue. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Cabinet members also approved the submission of two multi-million-pound bids to the UK Government’s Levelling Up fund at the same meeting.
They said the aim of the applications was to regenerate deprived coastal communities in Flintshire. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Initial proposals include modernising the Flint Castle and Greenfield business parks, transforming Connah’s Quay Dock and restoring the John Summers clocktower building in Sealand. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter (more here). ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Photo: Copyright Mat Fascione and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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