Deeside
Deeside (Welsh: Glannau Dyfrdwy) is a predominantly industrial conurbation of towns and villages located in Flintshire, north-east Wales, along the estuary of the River Dee adjacent to the England-Wales border.[1] With a population of approximately 54,000, it includes key settlements such as Connah's Quay—the largest with over 17,000 residents—Shotton, Queensferry, and parts extending into Cheshire, England.[2][3] The area has evolved into a major economic hub within the Mersey Dee City Region, characterized by high economic activity rates exceeding the Welsh average and specializing in advanced manufacturing sectors including aerospace, automotive, and materials processing.[2] Prominent employers encompass Airbus UK in nearby Broughton for aircraft wing production, Toyota's engine manufacturing plant, UPM Shotton Paper Mill, and various firms within the Deeside Industrial Park and Enterprise Zone, such as Raytheon UK and Tata Steel.[4][5] Historically, Deeside's economy relied on steelworks, shipbuilding, and heavy industry from the 19th century, but underwent significant regeneration following the closure of major steel operations in the 1980s and 1990s, transitioning to high-value engineering and logistics supported by strategic sites like the Northern Gateway development.[2][3] Its strategic location benefits from excellent transport connectivity via the A55, rail links, and proximity to ports and motorways, facilitating trade across North Wales, Cheshire, and Merseyside.[2]