Work starts to safeguard future of 900-year-old heritage castle

The first phase of improvement work at the castle will start on site shortly, focusing on preventing further deterioration of the standing remains because of harsh winter weather.

Other work in this first phase of improvements will include replacing the steps up to the keep with new steps made of recycled plastic, and replacing stone at the top of the keep that has worn away.

The programme of works is being funded by Wakefield Council and English Heritage and will help unlock the potential of Pontefract Castle as a heritage and tourism destination, as well as safeguarding the site for use by future generations.

These initial works will prepare the site for a further programme of conservation and development work throughout 2011-12.

Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for culture, sport and libraries, David Dagger, said: "I'm delighted that work at Pontefract Castle is due to start shortly.

"The council has already been working closely with local groups such as the Friends of Pontefract Castle to improve the castle's appearance and facilities.

"This work will mark the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for the castle, and will help us to attract more visitors to the town and wider district, boosting the local economy."

In May it was revealed that the battle to conserve the castle had been given a massive cash boost courtesy of an award of 270,000 from English Heritage which almost matched the 280,000 Wakefield Council had agreed to spend on developing plans to preserve the castle as a key tourist destination.

In the Middle Ages, Pontefract Castle was one of the most important fortresses in the country.

It became a royal castle in 1399 upon the accession of Henry Bolingbroke to the throne as Henry VI. Richard II subsequently died in the castle the following year after being one of the many important prisoners to lodge there.

During the Civil War it was held by the King's supporters throughout three sieges, but as a result, after 1649, it was largely demolished.

The remains of the castle and the underground magazine chamber or military store are open to visitors.

The cellars of the 11th century great hall were used as a military store from medieval times to the English Civil War period.

The underground magazine chamber is cut out of solid rock where visitors can see where Civil War prisoners carved their names into the cell walls.

Recent improvements include the refurbishment of the visitor centre and shop. Paths have been resurfaced and benches have been varnished with the help of the Friends of Pontefract Castle.

In 2009 Wakefield Council chiefs put in motion plans to rescue Pontefract Castle which was under seige from yobs and drug dealers.

The castle attracts more than 50,000 visitors a year but was designated "at risk" by English Heritage and has been blighted by incidents of drugs and violence in recent years.

The council is legally bound to look after the site under the Scheduled Monuments Act.

A report to Wakefield Council's cabinet committee last year stated: "There has been a poor recent history of incidents over the past eight years from assault and

attempted assault to drug-dealing."

There were even fears that the castle's decline could result in corporate manslaughter charges after there was a tragic death in 2007.

The castle's problems have been compounded by low levels of investment over the last 20 years.