Huge dragon welcoming visitors to Wales disappears from sight

A landmark Welsh dragon meant to welcome motorists to Wales has disappeared from view after becoming hidden by grass and bush.

The dragon, along with a lion on the opposite side of the road, was first installed in 2009 at a cost believed to be about £20,000.

There are now plans to restore the designs cut into the banks alongside the A494 dual-carriageway as motorists enter Flintshire from England.

National Highways, who are responsible for the road and the grass verge, confirmed it would be clearing the weeds and vegetation.

A councillor has welcomed the news, and suggested a group be set up to keep them in good condition once they are restored to their former glory.

The dragon and lion shapes are cut into slightly sloping banks with white stone infill used to make them stand out against the grass they sit on.

Bob James, who sits as an independent on Sealand Community Council in Flintshire, said: "It's something that used to be quite prominent years ago."

"It is a big significant thing for the Deeside Industrial Park.

"It is quite a landmark. It didn't just disappear overnight. It's one of those things that's crept in and people haven't noticed."

There was some criticism when the dragon was first installed because it faces the wrong way for the traditional Welsh dragon, looking left to right, rather than right to left.

But James said he believed the design made sense.

"It's a bit of an artistic thing because the direction of traffic looks like it's running with it. If it was facing the other way, it wouldn't have the same effect," he said.

The dragon actually sits on the English side of the border and is the responsibility of National Highways, the body which took over from the English Highways Agency which installed it, along with the lion on the opposite carriageway.

A spokesperson for National Highways said: "We recognise these artworks are important local landmarks and need maintenance. To reduce disruption and protect nature at the roadside, we will carry out weeding and clear vegetation as soon as possible as part of our seasonal maintenance programme."