Longstanding calls for a spruce-up of Tenby’s Castle Hill look to have finally been recognised, with a detailed plan for rejuvenating the iconic area of the seaside town in the pipeline.

Local county councillors and town councillors have been calling for works at the spot for some years now, complaining that it has been neglected for far too long.

Continued calls especially for the dirty Prince Albert memorial statue that stands on the site to be given a good wash, have also been put on the back-burner for some time.

Castle Hill Tenby
Continued calls especially for the dirty Prince Albert memorial statue that stands on the site to be given a good wash, have also been put on the back-burner for some time. (Observer pic)

Cllr Laura Crockford recently lambasted the Local Authority for leaving the once picturesque part - ‘fall into ruin’ - telling fellow town councillors: “The poor condition of Castle Hill is now visible from the Norton. I believe it’s almost at crisis point and the longer it is left, the more expensive it will be to be fixed!”

Now a detailed plan for tackling the backlog of work is being put togeter, which will recognise the current condition and make realistic proposals for progress.

As preparation for the plan, all the walls will be surveyed and proposals for urgent work agreed, which will include the removal of ivy where practical, some of which work has already started.

A new area of wild flower planting will also be done in time for this Summer, whilst overgrown hedges are being trimmed back and pathways tidied.

Castle Hill mess
“Tenby is one of the most photographed towns in the country. The poor condition of Castle Hill is now visible from the Norton. I believe it’s almost at crisis point and the longer it is left the more expensive it will be to be fixed,” Cllr Laura Crockford recently told her fellow town councillors. (Observer pic)

Pembrokeshire County Council will be carrying out a detailed survey to map all the walls, check the bandstand and other structures, which will assist with a future maintenance programme/schedule.

In addition to work carried out by PCC and their contractors some of the tasks will involve volunteers and local groups.

County councillor for Tenby’s north ward Cllr Michael Williams said: “There is an urgent need to remove the growth of ivy on the Castle Hill walls, as damage is being caused to a number of areas by the ivy roots.”

Tenby’s county councillor for the south ward, Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall said the project is going to take time and will need lots of people working together - as everyone knows, money is tight.

Tenby bandstand
Pembrokeshire County Council will be carrying out a detailed survey to map all the walls, check the bandstand and other structures, which will assist with a future maintenance programme/schedule. (Observer)

“Teams from Pembrokeshire County Council together with the Town Council and voluntary groups, all working together is a really positive start,” she remarked.

“In an ideal world we wouldn't need volunteer support but the financial situation means that we do need everyone to play their part.

"This work will take time and a full refurbishment may take a few years. However, hopefully people will notice a difference by the Summer and over the coming year."

People or organisations interested in volunteering should contact Cllr Skyrme-Blackhall or leave contact details with Tenby Town Council at their offices at the De Valence Pavilion.

The ‘Time for Tenby’ voluntary group is organising the first beach and town clean of the year on April 5, starting at 10am, meeting outside St Julian's Church on the harbour.

On this day there will also be a team of people doing some work on Castle Hill.