ALL 126 GRAVES UNDER WATER
Council took four months to finally probe concerns at Ayr Cemetery
All 126 graves in Ayr Cemetery extension have water issues, the Post can reveal.
Cemetery bosses have confirmed an entire chunk of South Ayrshire’s largest burial ground has water leaking into graves, affecting every lair.
It comes after the Post reported that the deceased will be removed as part of works to reseal lairs.
South Scotland MSP Sharon Dowey branded it a “scandal of the highest
proportions,” as she revealed her shock at the scale of the issue.
It is now feared that hundreds of families will face having to see their loved ones exhumed from what was supposed to be their final resting place.
Distraught relatives were last week sent letters confirming their worst fears and were only given until today (Wednesday) to give permission for loved ones to be removed and held in a facility.
A council spokeswoman said: “Following on from the investigatory works in January, unfortunately we now believe that all chambers within the cemetery extension have water issues.”
She later added: “Ayr Cemetery extension has 126 lairs. Following the investigation, it is anticipated that all of these lairs are affected by water.”
Cemetery bosses were first made aware of leaks in September of last year and a specialist contractor was hired in January this year.
In February, they first told how 10 graves were confirmed to have water leaking into them with the water later identified as surface water and rainfall after further inspections.
A number of families contacted Ayrshire Post after they had agreed to have their graves inspected but were left waiting months without clarification if their loved ones’ chamber had water in it.
This week cemetery bosses finally started to meet face-toface with families after only communicating via letters.
They have now agreed to remove water from graves but face having to store memorials and bodies inside a facility during their works.
Tory MSP Ms Dowey said: “The scale of this issue is unbelievable and will affect many families.
“With over 120 graves affected, we need to know immediately how South Ayrshire Council let such an important problem get so out of hand and how they intend to resolve it without any further delay. “
The Tory MSP has blasted council chiefs for the handling of the scandal.
Ms Dowey added: “It’s shocking that this situation has been able to get this far. People are rightly horrified at the prospect of loved ones being exhumed and I can only sympathise with them at what must be an extremely difficult time.
“South Ayrshire Council’s communication here has been absolutely shocking and there are many, many questions that still need to be answered.”
The Post understands that cemetery bosses only started to meet with families after last week’s horror letter.
But families have been left waiting on appointments to speak with service leads since last week.
But Ms Dowey believes the timing of meetings “beggars belief” and has called on the council to “show some compassion.”
Ms Dowey added: “The pace of work is far too slow and further reinforces comments that South Ayrshire Council’s handling of this mess has been both “cold and heartless.”
See above page for our full questions and answers with the council over the scandal.