AN INDEPENDENT risk assessment of Pembroke’s Castle Pond, where three people died within seven months of each other in 2015, has identified key areas for safety improvements.

The report was commissioned by the Carmarthenshire Water Safety Partnership - which covers the Dyfed area - on behalf of the family of Robert Mansfield, who died in July 2015.

Mr Mansfield had entered the water while on a night out to celebrate his 18th birthday.

Dr Cliff Nelson, of the national drowning prevention charity the Royal Lifesaving Society, visited the site in November and has marked three “not acceptable” high-risk factors at the ponds.

His report is in stark contrast to Pembrokeshire County Council’s own “low risk” assessment, which was presented to Pembrokeshire Coroner Mark Layton at Robert’s inquest, held in November 2015.

Now, in the new report, the high-risk factors are water temperature, depth and the risk of slipping or falling into the water.

The key outcomes list drowning, hypothermia, limb injury from slip, trip, fall and illness through water-borne pollution.

The report adds: “The Castle Pond area receives high footfall, as it is close to the town and provides an aesthetic natural waterscape.

“In addition, the path around the pond is used both for access and movement as well as recreational walking, cycling and jogging.

“Risk of falling into the water around Castle Pond is generally low. At some points the path is well away from the water and railings and public rescue equipment in place.

“However, there are a number of pinch points on the castle side of the pond, where the path runs close to the river bank edge.”

The assessment also found “uneven surfaces that could lead to a trip and ultimately a fall into the water” as well as “a high freeboard along the path closest to the castle, meaning a fall could result in an impact injury and further contribute to a drowning incident”.

Dr Nelson identified control measures, stating where there is a pinch point, improvements to the paths need to be made and railings considered to avoid someone falling off the path and into the water.

He also identified a need for improved lighting along the path closest to the castle, as well as casing and regular maintenance of public rescue equipment.

At the inquest in 2015, Mr Layton pointed at poor lighting around the pond and missing lifebuoys as factors in Robert’s death.

"I am concerned about the number of deaths which have occurred in such a short time span," said Mr Layton.

Robert was the third person to die at the ponds in 2015 - Robert John Lyall, 57, and Wayne Anthony Young, 52, were killed in separate tragedies.

At Robert’s inquest, Mr Layton used his powers under regulation 28 to log his concerns with Pembrokeshire County Council.

“Given the number of deaths there is a real need to consider fencing, warning notices and lighting,” he said.

Robert’s post mortem gave the cause of death as drowning and acute alcohol intoxication; the level of alcohol in Robert’s blood was three times over the legal drink drive limit.

The coroner ruled his death was accidental.

Pembrokeshire County Council had a statutory duty to respond to the coroner’s concerns within 56 days.

Robert’s aunty Sue Mansfield said the family had been frustrated when the inquest was told the Castle and Mill Ponds were deemed low risk.

“As Robert’s dad said at the inquest, he works in engineering and if there had been three fatalities on site it would not have been deemed low risk,” she said.

“They had 56 days to make improvements and all they did was put a life-aid on the barrage.

“Now we have had this report I hope the council will want to work with it – so far they have been quite welcoming of it.

“People thought we would want to fence off the whole of the ponds but that is not the case.

“It is meant to be enjoyed.

“What we want is to make it as safe as possible.

“Robert wanted to go in the water and regardless of whether there was a barrier he would have, I accept that.

“It is not just Robert. Mr Lyall and Mr Young didn’t plan to enter the water.

“The near misses I am aware of, they didn’t intend on entering the water.

“There is a very real risk there. We just want to make sure it is made safe so no-one else has to go through what we have.”

Adam Whitehouse, chairman of Carmarthenshire Water Safety Partnership, said: “Pembrokeshire is a county that has built its name on tourism and its beautiful coastline.

“Less than 30 yards from the water’s edge at Castle Pond there are three massive bill-boards advertising its tourism – all of which feature water.”

He added: “The Mansfield family were ready to give up as any ideas they had about making a difference were deemed not suitable.

“The work we have done with them to deliver this assessment in memory of Robert has been very emotional but rewarding.

“I hope Ian Westley (PCC Chief Executive) will continue his communi-cation with us and work in partnership to make the identified im-provements at the ponds and show the people of Pembrokeshire, as well as tourists, that their safety matters.”

Carmarthenshire Water Safety Partnership was set up in memory of Cameron Comey who fell into the Towy in Carmarthen two years ago and has not been found.

Adam Whitehouse added: “Despite two out of the three fatalities at the Castle Pond in 2015 being alcohol related, runners and walkers generally are one of the highest risk categories in recent figures, ac-counting for a third of all UK drowning fatalities #runnersandwalkers”

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “The council received a copy of the report from the Trust on Friday afternoon.

“We need to consider the report and review its findings before commenting further.”