Families’ agony as more tests at cemetry
Distressed
Council chiefs are to carry out more tests at Ayr Cemetery after water was found leaking into graves.
Screens will be erected again today (Wednesday) as specialist teams bid to find “potential solutions” to the ongoing problem.
South Ayrshire bosses say a “combination of rainwater and surface water” was found entering chambers.
It is understood an initial report is probing ineffective sealant used on each lair.
Council officials on Monday confirmed tha water was entering the graves “through the top slats and the joints where the slats rest upon the chamber walls”.
A spokesman added: “While we await the final reports, we are looking at some potential solutions to completely seal the chambers and plan to carry out some tests on empty chambers from Wednesday.
“This will take approximately one to two weeks. Screening will be in place while we trial the potential solutions, but the cemetery extension will remain open to the public.
“We will be able to programme plans to rectify the issue when we have undertaken these tests and are in receipt of all final reports, findings, and recommendations from the specialists.
“We fully appreciate that this is a sensitive and distressing issue for families, however, we must be confident that any measures we may implement will solve the problem.
“We have remained in regular contact with affected family lair owners and will continue to liaise with them directly throughout.
Last month, the Post reported how desperate families face an agonising wait to discover if they will have to rebury loved ones at the cemetery.
Water had been found to be leaking into all of the 10 inspected chambers at the Holmston Road burial grounds.
Showbiz legend Sydney Devine’s final resting place was amongst the graves reported to have ‘water ingress’.