A PETITION calling for Newport Castle to be saved has been signed by nearly 1,000 people and is set to be handed to the body responsible for maintaining the historic building.
Mark Powis, 24, launched the petition earlier this week calling for the castle to be saved from ‘being destroyed by the River Usk’.
Hundreds of people signed the petition within hours of it being launched, with many saying that ‘history can’t be replaced’ and that part of the city’s heritage should be preserved Mr Powis, from Rogerstone, said that he had been overwhelmed by the support after the campaign was featured in the South Wales Argus, and he was now hoping that action could be taken to preserve the castle before it deteriorates any further.
“The aim of the campaign is to get the castle restored, and protected, as there are lots of parts of it crumbling into the river,” he said.
“We want people to be proud of something in the city.
“If we can restore it to its former glory it would be as iconic as the Transporter Bridge.”
He added: "It's one of the first things you see when you come off the motorway and at the moment it looks like a crumbling mess that's about to fall into the river."
At the time of going to press more than 970 people have signed the petition, with Mr Powis saying that he would be handing it over to Cadw once they had more than 1,000.
He has already been in contact with them and after a video emerged showing part of the castle crumbling into the river.
Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, said they were aware of the damage at Newport Castle and would be acting as soon as possible.
A spokesman said: “Our aim is to repair and protect the castle as quickly as possible as part of our commitment to safeguard Wales’ heritage for future generations.”
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