Pembroke's town walls are to be safeguarded for the future. Sections of the wall, which are now in a poor state of repair, are to be repaired and protected in a programme of work likely to take several years to complete. Pembroke's town walls are mediaeval in origin and, along with the castle, part of the town's rich heritage. However, for some time concern has been expressed about the state of parts of the walls by local conservation groups and residents. Now Pembrokeshire County Council is to carry out tree clearance and consolidation works on sections to safeguard them for posterity. Clr. Huw George, cabinet member for the environment, said Pembroke's town walls were an intrinsic part of the rich history of the town and a major tourist attraction. "At a time when the growth of tourism is so important, any improvement to such a major attraction is essential," he said. "It's also important to safeguard them for the future." The consolidation work follows the production of a detailed report on the walls by Pembroke Design and Cambria Archaeology for the County Council. The document - available to the public at the town hall and Pembroke Library - is considered a valuable asset in itself, as it is the first complete and detailed survey of the town walls in modern times. Even though they may not be the original mediaeval walls, the majority are listed by Cadw, whilst the castle and towers have designated Ancient Monument status. Most of the town walls are in private ownership, as they form the boundary of properties to the north and south of Main Street. There are however sections which have been allowed to deteriorate to a point where they pose a threat to public safety. Recently, a section of wall along the Commons Road has been cleared of self-seeded trees, which pose a threat to the stability of the walls, and the bases of these trees have been chemically treated to deter re-growth. When the root systems have died off in around 18 months time, it is hoped that, with the agreement of the wall owners, a programme of repair and consolidation can be carried out using lime mortars similar to those used in the walls' original construction. This coming winter, it is proposed to clear a large area of old trees to the north of the former Baptist Chapel and St. Michael's Church and properties on the Eastback, whose boundaries lie along the Mill Pond. The trees pose a threat to the walls along the eastern end of the Mill Pond. Once again, it is proposed to clear the trees and weeds, so that at a later date affected sections can be dismantled where tree stumps need to be removed and then re-built, while other sections can be conserved and consolidated. All work will be carried out subject to private sector owner consent and available funding.
