Bridle-way paves the way for new conservation area

THE first stage of the Coed Talon nature conservation area has been completed – and Castle Cement has made a major contribution by weighing in with 100 tonnes of stone from its Cefn Mawr quarry.

The stone has been used to raise the level of one and a half miles of railway line above the marsh area and transform it into an attractive bridle-way.

Flintshire County Councillor, Meirion Matthews, Executive Member for Transport, Planning and the Environment, is delighted the project is moving forward. A keen supporter of this initiative, he says the new bridle-way is just the start of what will be a busy period during which time the 50 acres of farmland, including an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) will be transformed into a managed nature conservation area.

“This is a very exciting project. We have received grants from the Forestry Commission and other organisations, but Castle Cement’s help, as in the past, is greatly valued. It means the money we would have spent on the stone can now be spent on other parts of the project.

“By the time we have finished, we will have an area which local people will be able to enjoy, complete with picnic area and newly planted woodland.”

John Richards, Countryside Manager at Flintshire County Council, added: “At this time of year, the area is quite wet so we won’t be able to do develop the circular walk until the Spring but it is good that the first phase has now been completed. We feel we are on our way with a project which will help Flintshire’s biodiversity action plan.”

The bridleway, which runs between Llanfynydd and Treuddyn, will be officially opened in the Spring when the ground is dryer.