The three year regeneration project to modernise the historic Greenfield Dock has now been completed.
The work came about as a result of the Wales Coastal Path project, which was set up by the Welsh Assembly Government in 2007, and the Flintshire coastal cycle path scheme.
The area recently finished is Phase Two of the project, which included improvements to the cycle path and works on the commercial aspect of the dock, including the loading areas and the launch for the lifeboat.
Improvements made during Phase One included the installation of a sculpture, a tarmac surface and walkway, interpretation panels giving information on the dock and the estuary, and a new piece of art, which is a restored anchor.
The Deputy Leader of Flintshire County Council, Tony Sharps, recently visited the refurbished Dock to witness first hand the substantial regeneration work there. Councilllor Sharps also met the chairman of the Friends of Greenfield Dock and Coastal Development, Gerrard Hotchkiss, to discuss ideas for the next stage of the scheme, which involves the maintenance of the mooring area for recreational users of the dock.
Councillor Sharps said:
“When I think of what was here three years ago, when this was derelict land, it makes me proud of what has been achieved, thanks to the hard work of all parties involved, and the funding received from a number of sources including Tidy Towns, Kingspan, ScottishPower and the Environment Agency.“
The project has been a partnership between Flintshire Countryside Services, Friends of Greenfield Dock, the Dee Estuary Sea Fishermen, Ramblers Association, the RNLI, Sustrans, Dee Estuary Wildflowers, Shotblast Engineering Services and Holywell Town Council.
Councillor Sharps visited the dock with local Councillor, Rosetta Dolphin;Neal Cockerton, Flintshire County Council’s Head of Technical Services; and Mike Taylor, Senior Countryside Ranger, who has project managed the scheme.
Mike Taylor said:
“This project has been a wonderful example of partnership working between so many organisations. I’d especially like to thank the commitment of the Dee Estuary fishermen, who’ve made this work from the very beginning. I’m also grateful to Flintshire County Council’s Highways department for all their work on the new cycle path.”
Chairman of the Friends of Greenfield Dock, Gerrard Hotchkiss, said:
“I’ve been involved with this area all my life and feel so passionately about it. We’ve done amazing work so far and I’m now keen to continue that.
The aim is now to have a feasibility study to look at the technical aspects of reinstating the dock as a going concern for recreational access. We’re also keen to explore ways of flushing out the silt here, to make it the proper dock it used to be.“
An official opening is being planned for later this month, with a date yet to be announced.
