A NEW walkway linking England and Wales from Neston to Deeside has been officially opened.

The Greenway Route has proved a success with walkers, wheelchair users and cyclists since its completion in April, attracting 6,000 users in its first month.

Work on the route was carried out by Cheshire West and Chester Council and Flintshire County Council.

The project received £250,000 in funding from sustainable transport charity Sustrans, and £300,000 from the Welsh Government, allocated through Taith, the Regional Transport Consortium for north Wales.

The route was officially opened by John Griffiths, Welsh Government Minister for Culture and Sport near the English / Welsh border on the Boardwalk across the marsh.

He said: "This new path will provide an important link between communities in Wales and England.

"It will allow people to use sustainable modes to travel to work in Deeside as well as providing a great facility for recreational walking and cycling."

Also attending was Cheshire West and Chester Council's executive member for culture and recreation, Cllr Stuart Parker, who said: "What an incredible success story.

"This magnificent stretch of the Greenway Route is extremely popular as a recreational but also as a commuter route and the figures for the people using it so far are fantastic.

Colin Wells, site manager at RSPB Dee Estuary Reserve said: "The greenway provides an excellent opportunity for walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users to enjoy the area’s wonderful wildlife.

“Alongside offering great views of the Dee Estuary, the route also gives people the chance to discover how the RSPB helps to provide a home for nature.

“As the greenway runs through a working sheep farm, which plays a vital part in managing the saltmarsh, the RSPB encourages everyone to behave responsibly whilst enjoying the new route.”