RESIDENTS are reaping the benefits of a £500,000 investment in their village.

In the past three years money has been obtained in grants to boost facilities in Treuddyn.

The latest addition to the growing list of community improvements is a bike track on the Queen’s Road recreational area – the only one of its kind in Flintshire.

Community leaders say the £46,000 track, built by BMX track builders Clark and Kent, is one of the longest in the UK and is already proving a real hit with youngsters ahead of its official opening next month.

Treuddyn councillor Carolyn Thomas said: “It’s all part of the regeneration of Treuddyn. We went out and asked the children what they would like and they wanted a bike track.

“They are thrilled with it – the little ones roll over the jumps and the older ones jump them.” A grant has also been secured to train the youngsters to use the facility safely.

Other improvements include a complete overhaul of the village hall, a village website, new notice boards, new play equipment including a £25,000 climbing wall and even litter pickers to be used during community litter picks.

Cllr Thomas initiated the refurbishment of the village hall when she became a councillor three years ago and the rest snowballed.

She said: “It started with the village hall. It had stood empty for three years and even had trees growing out of it, but now it’s used every night of the week.

“It’s fantastic to see it all happening. It has been a busy three years where people have come on board and pulled together. It shows what can be achieved if determined enough.”

Cllr Thomas hopes the investment  will help keep the youngsters out of trouble by giving them something to do.

She added: “The problem in Flintshire is there aren’t enough facilities for young people – they are bored because there’s nothing for them to do. We are hoping that by providing things like this it gives them something to spend their time on and use up all that adrenalin.”

Funding has come from various sources including Cadwyn Clwyd, the Welsh Assembly, Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund and Keep Wales Tidy.

The bike track and new play area will be opened on Sunday, April 17.

Jenny Smith, chairman of the community council, will cut the ribbon at 1.30pm and professional bikers, including the Kent Clerk race team, will also be there.