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<\/p>\nNational Highways have pledged to restore both the lion and dragon artworks on the English\/Welsh border<\/p>\n
The artwork has greeted motorists for almost 20 years<\/p>\n
Roadside \u2018border guardian\u2019 artworks depicting an English Lion when crossing into Cheshire and a Welsh Dragon when entering Flintshire have been temporarily lost.<\/p>\n
The artworks \u2013 made of white stone within metal frames \u2013 were designed as a modern equivalent of the prehistoric chalk White Horse artwork in Uffington, a landmark to recognise the Welsh-English border. Costing \u00a320,000 back in 2009, the artworks either side of the A494 between Ellesmere Port<\/a> and Flintshire have greeted motorists for almost 20 years.<\/p>\n But today there is almost no visible trace of them after they were allowed to become overgrown. Weeds and grass have rendered the artworks invisible to motorists \u2013 and even on foot you would have to look hard to find them among the thick vegetation.<\/p>\n Local Facebook groups have seen people express their anger about the neglect of the artworks. Phil Evans said: \u201cIt was \u00a320k to build. It would be \u00a3200 to cut back!\u201d Louis Evans added: \u201cTypical, do something nice and then neglect it. These paths, grass verges and hedges need cutting regularly like they were in days gone by.\u201d<\/p>\n Now National Highways, which is responsible for maintaining the areas either side of the A494, says it will be carrying out maintenance to reveal the dragon and the lion once more.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for National Highways said: \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n