The new Greenway route linking England and Wales between Neston and Deeside Industrial Estate has been officially opened.

The 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 Neston to Deeside Greenway cross border route was carried out jointly by Cheshire West and Chester Council and Flintshire County Council with funding from Sustrans of £250,000 and £300,000 from the Welsh Government, allocated through Taith, the Regional Transport Consortium for North Wales.

The official opening of the route was carried out 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, Councillor Stuart Parker, who said: “What an incredible success story.

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

“This new route is the culmination of more than 10 years of negotiations; the route passes through land owned by the RSPB, MOD and Network Rail who have entered into a formal agreement with Flintshire and West Cheshire and Chester Councils, to allow public access along the marsh and estuary.”

The Neston side of the route, undertaken by Cheshire West and Chester Council, is three and a half kilometres in length.

Sustrans’ North West Infrastructure Manager, Peter Foster said: “The huge number of people choosing to use this new route shows that there is a demand for safe, accessible and pleasant walking and cycling routes.

“It’s fantastic to see the local community showing so much enthusiasm for walking and cycling, but it’s no surprise when it’s such a healthy, fun and affordable activity for people of all ages.”

The new seating and bins along the Burton Marsh Greenway were paid for by Little Neston and Burton Councillor Kay Loch through her Member Budget.

She said: ““The route also provides off road access from The Wirral Way to Chester and North Wales using other cycling routes.”