Flooded cemetery branded ‘disgrace’ in appeal for action
‘HEARTBREAKING’ scenes of flooding at a Nuneaton cemetery have left residents demanding council action.
Some were left devastated at the sight that greeted them when they went to visit loved ones at Bucks Hill cemetery on Mother’s Day.
Relatives left wading through inches of water to go and pay their respects. It was not a one-off according to resident Keith Bates.
“It was a heartbreaking sight everyone was greeted with and to witness a disgrace where our departed loved ones who served this community are bereft of any respect and dignity under the directorship and management of the council,” he said.
“This is an occurrence that has manifested itself for a long time and now it seems is getting worse.”
He has issued a formal complaint to the council about the cemetery, which he described as an ‘absolute disgrace.’
He also raised concerns about ‘rainbow effects’ spotted on top of the water, seeping from below the cemetery. “I can accept that the cemetery is on a slope and that there is a water table problem - when it rains we see marsh grasses growing on the grave that tell us that,” he said.
“However its gross disrespect and arrogance not to ensure this problem is and has not been sorted to ensure loved ones are afforded the dignity they deserve.”
We put the concerns to the borough council. This included the plea for action to prevent the ongoing distress caused by flooding.
In a statement, a borough council spokesperson said: “There has been flooding in a number of areas around the borough including our cemeteries, and we understand the distress this causes.
“Unfortunately, the levels of rainfall have been exceptional, and given the location of the cemetery at Bucks Hill it has resulted in localised flooding.” In regards to the claims made about the flood water itself, the spokesperson said: “We know ground water in the area also has traces of iron oxide which occurs naturally and will sink or remain suspended on the surface, leaving the water with a reddish-brown colour.”