Low Carbon: Breakthrough achieves vital Bagillt link in the All Wales Coastal Path

By Sarah Griffiths on Mar 20, 09 10:54 AM in News

A HUGE milestone was achieved for the All Wales Coastal Path this week.

A major section of the Bagillt foreshore, formerly the Bettisfield Colliery site, has been leased by Flintshire County Council for the next 100 years.

The site, from Holywater near Bettisfield Colliery to Station Gutter, was meant to be an integral part of the path, but countryside wardens discovered there was no right of way as much of the land is in private ownership.

Negotiations with owners Veolia Environmental Services have now resolved this.
The Bettisfield site includes protected saltmarsh, woodland footpaths and views of the Dee Estuary.

Coastal rangers have already started clearing decades of fly-tipped rubbish and contractors are busy installing fences, gates and footpaths.

Flintshire Countryside Service has taken on responsibility for the site.

Flintshire's executive member for the environment, Cllr Tony Sharps, said: "Council staff, including coastal rangers, minerals officers and legal and highway teams have all worked hard to finalise the lease."

Senior coastal ranger Mike Taylor said: "We'll manage the Bettisfield site exactly the same as our other county sites. Our goal is a balance of conservation and recreation while also involving the community. To this end a friends group will be set up to provide a forum for local people to have their say in the future management of the site."

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