A NUMBER of ‘High Risks’ have been identified at Pembroke’s Mill Pond, after three people drowned in the pond in 2015.

That is despite Pembrokeshire County Council’s own assessment which describes them as ‘low risks’.

The charity, Carmarthenshire Water Safety Partnership, commissioned a report on behalf of the family of Robert Mansfield who sadly died in the Mill Pond, also known as the Castle Pond.

57 year old Robert Lyall and 52 year old Wayne Anthony Young also died after falling in the pond in separate incidents.

Pembrokeshire County Council owns the land surrounding the pond and its own assessment was presented to coroner Mark Layton at the inquest into the death of Mr Mansfield.

During the inquest, Mr Layton said he was concerned about the Council’s assessment and that there was a need to consider fencing and warning signs.

The report, which has been done Dr Cliff Nelson of the national drowning prevention charity the Royal Lifesaving Society, has found a number of high risks which are described as ‘not acceptable’.

Those include slipping and falling, and the depth and temperature of the water.

Outcomes of the risks are drowning, hypothermia, limb injury, and illness through water-borne pollution.

While the report states that the risk of falling into the pond is ‘generally low’ it goes on to say that there are a number of ‘pinch points’ where the path runs close to the edge of the river bank.

Dr Nelson adds that the path is in need of improvement and that railings and improved lighting around the pond should be considered.

The charity was set up in memory of Cameron Comey, from Carmarthen, who has not been found since he fell into the River Towy two years ago.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “The Council has always taken these matters very seriously and has formerly responded to the Pembrokeshire Coroner at the time and, since then, Carmarthenshire Water Safety Partnership.

“We have also previously undertaken a review of the walkway around the Castle. The public footpath is inspected regularly and is considered to meet the intervention levels set for maintenance purposes.

“Nevertheless, in dialogue with the Carmarthenshire Water Safety Partnership last summer, we acknowledged they may well wish to undertake an independent review and noted that we would be happy to review such a study.

“In the earlier communication with the Partnership, the Council fed back on both the Castle and Mill Ponds, noting – in particular in relation to the Castle Pond – the mixed ownership issues, with not all land being under the Authority’s control.

“The Council was saddened to learn of the incidents on the ponds and in our formal response to the Pembrokeshire Coroner (following Mr Mansfield’s inquest) we undertook to review safety.

“We also re-provided flotation devices – which had been removed on a number of occasions – and erected signs at various points around the Castle Pond advising against swimming due to the poor water quality.

“There is already lighting on the footpath below the Castle and the installations were considered generally adequate.

“There is a mixture of old and new lighting columns and lanterns which might benefit from upgrading to ensure consistent lighting.

“The Partnership’s report acknowledges that the risk of falling into the water around Castle Pond is ‘generally low’ although there are a number of pinch points on the Castle side of the pond where the path runs close to the riverbank.

“Now that the report has been issued, the Council is happy to review the Partnership feedback and continue to explore appropriate enhancements and improvements.”