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| Shotton | |
|---|---|
| Town andcommunity | |
 A view from the railway bridge, showing Chester Road | |
  Shotton Location withinFlintshire | |
| Population | 6,663 (2011 census) |
| OS grid reference | SJ305685 |
| Principal area | |
| Preserved county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | DEESIDE |
| Postcode district | CH5 |
| Dialling code | 01244 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| UK Parliament | |
| Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament | |
| Website | Town council website |
53°12′32″N3°02′31″W / 53.209°N 3.042°W /53.209; -3.042  Map of the community | |
Shotton is a town andcommunity inFlintshire, Wales, within theDeeside conurbation along theRiver Dee, joined withConnah's Quay, near theborder with England. It is located 5 miles (8 km) west of Chester and can be reached by road from theA548. In the2011 census, Shotton had a population of 6,663.[1][2]
The town's name is first recorded inOld English asCyllingas. This name derives from theWelsh language word Celyn (meaningHolly) and has persisted in one form or another throughout the town's history. By 1822, Richard Willett recorded the name asKyllins, which he says contains "one of the parish's most notable ancient houses". Even today,Killin's Farm andKillin's Lane may still be found in the oldest part of town.[3]
The town's modern English name is shared with three other towns in Britain. These towns (all on the English side of the Scottish border) derive their names fromTown of Scots but it is unlikely that aFlintshire town shares this etymology. The name probably derives fromScēot-tūn = "farmstead on or near a steep slope", or fromShot-tūn = "farmstead in a clearing in the wood". The town is officially namedShotton in both English and Welsh, making it one of the few towns in Wales to officially have neither a recognised Welsh spelling or Welsh etymology.
The town grew from the 18th century aroundcoal mining and farming on reclaimedmarshland. Shotton also became a railway junction. TheJohn Summers & Sons steelworks was established in 1896 on a six-acre site. At its peak it employed over 13,000. Following nationalisation in 1967, the works became part of theBritish Steel Corporation.[4] Although it is known as Shotton Steel Works,[5] the large plant (owned byTata Steel since 2006) is across the river from Shotton,[6] with most being in the community ofConnah's Quay.[7]
The town lies next to theHawarden Bridge, which was completed in 1889 as a swing-opening bridge. The opening mechanism was disabled in 1960.[8]
Shotton has an area of 2.34 km2, with a density of 3,001 km2. The population is roughly 50% male and female and 62.2% are between the ages of 18 and 64.[1][2]
Thecommunity consists of threeelectoral wards of theFlintshire County Council local authority:
| Ward | 2001 census | 2011 census |
|---|---|---|
| Shotton East | 1,803[9] | 1,958[10] |
| Shotton Higher | 2,529[11] | 2,576[12] |
| Shotton West | 1,933[13] | 2,129[14] |
| Shotton Total | 6,265 | 6,663 |
Shotton is served by the following schools:
John Summers High School (formerly Deeside High School) closed on 20 July 2017.
Shotton railway station is on theBorderlands Line and theNorth Wales Coast Line.
| National | |
|---|---|
| Geographic | |
