Cycling route funded by windfarm

The tourism fund associated with Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm is to support a new partnership to promote tourism facilities across the North Wales coast.

The £170,000 Green Links project will bring together and promote a range of attractions between Llandudno and Prestatyn, linking walking and cycling opportunities with nature reserves and other facilities.

It has been developed by Conwy County Council and Denbighshire County Council, and will support officers from both local authorities working together.

RWE npower renewables and its partners in Gwynt y Môr earmarked a specific fund of £690,000 to support tourism related initiatives during the construction of the 160-turbine wind farm in Liverpool Bay.

Vince Read, project manager for RWE, said: "This is the fourth project to be backed by our Tourism Fund, with more expected to be announced next yearAs a keen cyclist myself, I know that the route of the Green Links project between Llandudno and Prestatyn will provide excellent views of our new wind farm, giving visitors the opportunity to understand the benefits it will provide."

Daniel Romberg, from Bangor, has been appointed Green Links Project Officer. The Green Links initiative is centred around the route of the North Wales coastal cycle path and aims to direct visitors to attractions and places of interest along the way. Funding of £130,000 has been allocated to the Green Links project by the Gwynt y Môr Tourism Fund to provide infrastructure improvements, interpretation hubs along the route as well as the creation of a new website and booklet with detailed information. The remaining £40,000 is being provided by the two local authorities.

Gwynt y Môr is a €2bn offshore wind farm on schedule to become fully operational in 2014.