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Wales Link Path joined up thinking

Published: 14/03/2016

Flintshire Countryside Service is working to join Saltney (Chester) and Llandegla, completing the round Wales circular with the new Wales Link Path project. Offa’s Dyke and the Wales Coast Path are two of Wales’ most popular paths, drawing in thousands of walkers per year and offering stunning scenery. This work has been made possible by a Coastal Communities Fund grant of almost £35,000. The Coastal Communities Fund is funded by the Government with income from the Crown Estate’s marine assets. It is delivered by the Big Lottery Fund on behalf of UK Government and the Devolved Administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales Spanning eighteen miles, going through four counties; Flintshire, Cheshire West and Chester, Wrexham and Denbighshire, works are being carried out to upgrade sections of footpaths, replacing stiles, installing kissing gates and building boardwalks. Working in partnership with three other counties, Flintshire Countryside Ranger, Stephen Lewis, is running the project, due for completion in August 2016. Cllr Bernie Attridge, Deputy Leader of Flintshire County Council and Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “Support for this project has been cross border and cross country and we would especially like to thank all of the rights of way staff from Flintshire, Cheshire West and Chester, Wrexham and Denbighshire Councils who have made this key tourist route possible.” Stephen Lewis said: “This is a fantastic access project, the route taking you through a diverse panorama of lowlands, woodlands and upland heathland. It will draw walkers to enjoy the stunning Coastal and Rural areas of North East Wales.” In addition to providing a key route, the Wales Link Path also creates one of the finest circular walks in North East Wales joining the low level Dee Estuary sections of the Wales Coast Path with the stunning upland scenery of the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley AONB via beautiful borderlands countryside. Increased tourism opportunities are anticipated with increased visitors to the key destination points such as Prestatyn, the start of the Offa’s Dyke Path, Flint, Chester and Caergwrle with its hidden castle in the borderlands of Wales. Picture 1: Stephen Lewis, Countryside Ranger, Flintshire Countryside Service Picture 2: Dave Roscoe and Richard Williams from Tri Fford putting up a stile, Bretton