Work to improve Local Nature Reserve begins at last

Work identified in the Pembroke Action Plan in 2000 to improve the Pembroke Mill Ponds Local Nature Reserve (LNR) has begun at last.

A specialist team from Swansea based Salix River and Wetlands Services Ltd have been creating areas of reed bed on Pembroke's main Mill Pond using a bioengineering retaining system. Due to the natural characteristics of the Mill Pond there are certain areas which are prone to the build up of a blue-green algae known as phormidium. It is a natural phenomenon and creating the areas of reed beds will help to address the problem.

More importantly the reed beds will increase the biodiversity on the ponds and give visitors opportunities to observe the more abundant wildlife at close quarters.

This work begins a three year programme of improvements to the Mill Ponds LNR that have been planned as a result of extensive public consultation and the findings of an Options Report carried out in 2003-4 by the Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust on behalf of the Pembroke Mill Ponds Technical Group. The creation of the reed beds will contribute to Pembrokeshire Biodiversity Action Plan targets and to the framework of the Pembrokeshire Wetlands Strategy.

Overseen by Pembroke 21C Community Association, the work is funded by their partners in the project - Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Agency Wales, Environment Wales and Pembrokeshire County Council. It has also received support from National Grid.

John Hayes, Chairman of the Pembroke Mill Ponds Action Group, a sub-group of Pembroke 21C, said, "We are delighted that improvements have begun at last. It is the result of a lot of hard work over many years by the partners. Reed beds are amongst the most important habitats for birds. The variety of species using the ponds is increasing and we look forward to seeing even more of them attracted by the new habitat. Together with the improvements to Holyland Woodland this work will create a vital wildlife corridor within minutes of the town."