Flintshire coast improvements backed by key funding
Flintshire County Council is delivering a series of coastal safety and biodiversity improvements across the county, supported by more than £315,000 from the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund.
Work led by the Connecting Coast to Countryside team is enhancing key locations along the Flintshire Coast Park, which runs for 25 miles alongside the Dee Estuary.
At Talacre, a new 140-metre timber boardwalk has been installed through the dunes to improve access to the beach. The structure replaces a worn pathway and is intended to provide safer access for visitors.
Safety and accessibility improvements have also been made in Shotton at the car park used by Care and Repair North East Wales, located near the Wales Coast Path and National Cycle Route 5. Height barriers have been introduced to prevent large vehicles from entering, while vegetation has been cleared to increase space.
Additional works at the site include the installation of millennium bollards and resurfacing to create a smoother, more accessible area.
In Saltney, biodiversity work has been carried out along the River Dee as part of the Longforest project. This includes planting, coppicing and the traditional laying of more than 140 metres of hedgerow to support wildlife habitats.
Children from Saltney Ferry Primary School have taken part in the project, helping to plant native tree species including holly, hazel and field maple, as well as sowing wildflower seeds to create meadow areas.
The Longforest project covers the stretch from Higher Ferry Saltney Footbridge to River Lane and is supported by Welsh Government Local Places for Nature funding and the council’s biodiversity team.
Mike Taylor, senior coastal ranger at Flintshire County Council, said: “Enhancing Flintshire’s natural landscape for residents and visitors is a priority of the council, so it was great to have the youngsters help improve the environment that is right on their doorstep.
“By ensuring our hubs are not only accessible. but aesthetically pleasing, we hope the changes will encourage more people to explore the outdoors to boost their wellbeing.
“The work that has taken place has also played a key role in protecting and preserving the rich natural habitats along the Dee estuary. We’re thankful for the UKSPF funding we’ve been given which has been vital in helping us to achieve this at our coastal hubs.”
Councillor Chris Dolphin, cabinet member for environment, regeneration, countryside and tourism, said: “Thanks to the UKSPF, the Connecting Coast to Countryside team has been able to revitalise our green spaces and enhance existing infrastructure, which will no doubt help build a sense of communal pride and attract more visitors to enjoy our coastline.”
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