Defences attacked by new enemies

Under siege: Hereford's city wall threatened by ravages of time

Hereford's ancient city walls are facing the biggest threat to their future since 12,000 Roundheads tried to reduce the red sandstone defences to rubble in 1645.

During a six-week siege the Earl of Leven's Scots army dug a series of underground mines which were then set alight in a bid to collapse the walls protecting the Royalist stronghold.

The move failed, but the mile-long 13th-century walls are now under attack on at least three fronts from a new enemy - severe erosion, traffic pollution and self-seeding plants which are damaging the stonework. The circular walls are still 16ft high in places and the remains are a scheduled ancient monument of national importance.

But tomorrow Hereford planners will discuss a report by conservation officer Dave Baxter which says the wall has been neglected, abused and left to deteriorate during the years and warns: "It is essential that this situation is remedied ... to secure the life and appearance of the wall."

Councillors are expected to approve his calls for a repair programme to be prepared and costed in association with English Heritage. It will involve the removal of cherry trees and buddleia which have self-seeded on the wall. The report also says some sections have been defaced by graffiti and are bulging with fractures in the stonework and some stones missing. Workmen took 60 years to erect the city walls. Only two of the 17 original half-round towers remain and all six main gates were demolished during the 1790s.

Hereford's director of archaeology, Ron Shoesmith, said the remaining walls "are a very significant part of Hereford's history ... some sections are in a poor state, but I don't think the neglect has been deliberate and the council are taking their responsibility seriously."