A meeting is to be held next week to discuss problems at one of Narberth's popular rural walks. Representatives from Environment agency Wales, Pembrokeshire County Council's public protection division and the rights of way department, will be meeting on Tuesday to discuss the seepage concerns. "This is the first in a series of meetings between different departments to try and get some outcome and work done," said county councillor Wynne Evans. "We have got serious concerns about the footpath and the problems need to be sorted once and for all," he continued. Pembrokeshire County Council's public protection division is investigating the cause of the seepage onto the footpath, together with the Environment Agency. The leachate is believed to be iron oxide and arises from the former landfill site which has surfaced in a number of locations along the river banks and onto Carding Mill Lane. Said Gareth Watts, principal officer; "We are aware of the situation and the presence of the iron oxide is more obvious following heavy rainfall. "We are currently carrying out a study to evaluate the risk of pollution to the environment and in the meantime, we would encourage persons to keep away from any obvious staining. "Depending on the outcome of the assessment, we will be looking towards managing the pollution risk through engineering or other means." He added: "As a precautionary measure, we have been in contact with the Health Protection Agency who confirm that iron oxide is unlikely to present any public health risk and is more an ecological issue with the main effect being on flora and fauna in preventing growth."
