A ‘pest problem’ in Tenby has become so great that extensive tunnelling by rats could cause one of the coastal town’s cliffs to become unstable.

County Councillor for the town’s North ward, Cllr Michael Williams said that he’d ‘never seen such an infestation’ as what has occurred on the cliff faces at Castle Hill - and has now called upon Pembrokeshire County Council’s lead public health officer to assess the situation which has affected that area.

Rats are also reported to have become more and more noticeable in the floral area overlooking the North Beach alongside one of the seaside town’s most popular viewing spots to capture a photo of one of the most snapped parts of the UK - Tenby’s picturesque harbour; as well as parts of the Paragon above South Beach.

“The rodent infestation is so considerable at Castle Hill that a large area of the cliff appears to have extensive tunnelling by rodents, which make the cliff appear unstable,” said Cllr Williams, adding that PCC’s lead public health officer Steve Morbey is due to undertake an extensive rodent baiting programme shortly around that area.

Harness trained staff are being arranged to carry out the work for the cliff face, to try and resolve the matter.

Cllr Williams said that given that he’d received reports that the cliff is becoming unstable in the same area, he has also asked the Local Authority’s head of infrastructure to carry out an inspection at the same time.

“There also appears to be a major infestation opposite W H Smith in the council gardens, with extensive burrowing into the cliff area,” continued Cllr Williams with his conerns further voiced to the County Council.

Tenby
Rats are also reported to have become more and more noticeable in the floral area overlooking the North Beach alongside one of the seaside town’s most popular viewing spots to capture a photo of one of the most snapped parts of the UK - Tenby’s picturesque harbour (Observer pic)