The Port of Milford Haven is warning members of the public to stay away from Ward’s Yard after a teenage boy had a lucky escape recently.
The site was purchased by the Port last year and a great deal of work has been undertaken to make sure it is secure including additional fencing, signage and CCTV. There have been numerous occasions where the fencing has been cut and warning signs have been removed which leaves the site accessible, putting lives in danger.
Last month a fourteen year old boy had to be rescued from the water at Ward’s Pier by the Port’s staff, HM Coastguard and Dyfed Powys Police after falling in. The incident could have been far more serious if it weren’t for the quick thinking of his friend who quickly alerted the coastguard.
Ward’s Yard is private property and anyone there without consent is trespassing. Anyone caught causing criminal damage could face prosecution.
Wayne Evans, Health, Safety and Security Manager at the Port of Milford Haven, said “We are issuing this warning in the interest of public safety. The site has not been operational for a number of years so there are serious hazards which can cause injuries or worse. There are many other picturesque locations along the waterway that people can enjoy both safely and without committing any criminal offences.”
Anyone who sees any suspicious activity at Ward’s Yard is asked to contact Dyfed Powys Police on 101 or the Port of Milford Haven’s estates team on 01646 696380.
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Photo: Security fencing at Ward’s Yard is being damaged on a regular basis
Notes to Editors
Port of Milford Haven
The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s top energy port and Wales’ busiest port handling around 20% of Britain’s seaborne trade in oil and gas. It is widely recognised in the industry as the energy capital of the UK.
The Port, along with the cluster of energy-related businesses along the Waterway, is a key driver of economic activity in Pembrokeshire, attracting inward investment and supporting over 4,000 jobs.
The Port of Milford Haven also owns and operates Pembroke Port and Milford Dock. Activities such as cargo handling, ferry operations, fish landing and cruise calls as well as a first class marina are spread across these two sites.
One of the most prominent on the West Coast, the Port is in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the only Coastal National Park in Great Britain. It is marked as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and has many areas designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The Port of Milford Haven is a trust port – an independent, commercially run organisation that has statutory responsibilities governed by its Acts, to maintain and improve navigation and the provision of Port and Harbour services and facilities. Additionally, the Port provides significant financial and in-kind support to a wide variety of local causes. All profits are retained within the business to fund these objectives.
For further information, visit www.mhpa.co.uk or contact:
Anna Malloy
Port of Milford Haven
01646 696100
anna.malloy@mhpa.co.uk