An integrated transport solution for a busy Flintshire industrial area is now being linked to a larger Welsh Government initiative.

Flintshire County Council's environment committee heard this week how the Deeside Plan, approved in 2016, now forms a key element of the North East Wales Metro, led by Welsh Government.

Funds have been awarded through the Local Transport Fund (LTF) for the access two current schemes. The first is the access to employment scheme, which includes a bus stop infrastructure throughout the park, and dedicated cycle-ways in zone three.

The second aims to develop passenger growth through the Deeside Corridor, which covers the legal costs of bus frameworks, and highways improvements.

Carolyn Poole, cabinet member for Streetscene & Countryside told the overview and scrutiny committee: "Deeside Industrial Park (DIP) is one of the biggest and busiest in Wales. With approximately 400 businesses employing in the region of 9,000 people in the park, we are very fortunate to have it here in Flintshire.

"But there are some connectivity issues. There are lots of jobs available but getting people to work is an issue. There are also issues with congestion which is a hindrance to its expanding."

Steve Jones, chief officer for Streetscene and Transportation said: "The immediate area has been the subject of a number of recent studies, all of which concluded that one of the main factors limiting further growth is the poor transport links into and around the park."

Mr Jones said that after the Deeside Plan: "It became quite obvious to us that this is not about Deeside but about Flintshire. We have brought together a number of plans on where demand for transport is in times of development.

"We have been looking at what could we do to try and improve links to the park. There's no point of having a place of employment if we can't link it to where people live."

Officers highlighted that it is not "one rail road or bus service to get rid of all issues in Flintshire," but that the transport arrangements must now involve an integrated system, including bus services, an integrated cycle network, as well as improved parking in the industrial area.

Mr Jones said it is agreed that the rail network must be franchised, as it is a "crying shame" no one uses the Wrexham to Bidston line to get to work.

According to the review by Mr Jones, less than 1% of people use trains to get to work, although the rail line runs right through the park but does not have a station.

He said: "Trains are a real asset to the council and should be used to get people off roads. At the same time we are looking at Deeside, Welsh Government are looking at their Metro plans. In Cardiff, 'Metro' means trams but this is not practical in north east Wales. Their Metro plans and our transport plans need to link together."

Bus services are also under review, and the committee heard that "a sustainable bus service, [and] a regional strategy with long term sustainability" is on the cards.

Plans could be in place to introduce a bus hub at Shotton railway station, a shuttle bus interchange at Garden City, with the entrance to Tata Steel, a dedicated bus lane from Queensferry to Shotton Bridge, and the provision of a regular, scheduled shuttle bus service on bus-only routes.

Drafts are being formed with bus operators to bring companies together in a bid to supply commuters with a better service as opposed to falling victim to financially motivated bus times.

Mr Jones said his vision is to reduce the need for cars, and therefore parking, by growing the bus network. He said: "It will be a case of 'I'm sick of being in a car and seeing buses going past me.'"

A parking strategy is also being looked at, as the overflowing car park "does not set the right image for DIP" as well as restricting access into businesses.

The Active Travel Act 2013 requires the council by law to consider active travel in all further planning to improve their facilities.

Anthony Stanford, highways strategy manager, said: "We are engaging with businesses to see if we can assist with development and infrastructure. We are looking at a cycle way to complete the network of dedicated cycle routes on all of the DIP."

The scheme will also include secure site parking, as well as clear links to the National Cycling Network.

One million pound has been given by Welsh Government to extend the cycle networks, which Mr Jones said is "no longer just a pipe dream but a dot in the plan."

He explained: "Over the year we get bids to submit our transport scheme, feasibility studies, and to produce design-ready schemes. There could be pipeline funding at the end of the financial year."