Council tells families distressed by flooding at Nuneaton cemeteries ‘we’ll deal with it’

Flooding problems at Nuneaton cemeteries, which have left families struggling for years, will be fixed, the district council has promised. The height of the floodwaters earlier this year meant that some relatives were unable to reach the graves of their loved ones.

Others were allowed to wade through the water at Bucks Hill Cemetery, while at Attleborough Cemetery, relatives were horrified to see much of the cemetery under water. It has been a long-term problem with repeated calls for action.

cone Jonathan Collett addressed his requests to a Environment and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee and a motion was passed that a report be prepared and discussed by cabinet members. The council’s cabinet met last night, Wednesday, July 17, but the report was not on the agenda.

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He said: “The motion was carried that a report be prepared into the flooding of Bucks Hill and Attleborough Cemeteries and I’m sure you will agree with me, it has been incredibly painful for relatives, they have not been able to access graves. .

“It is a matter of utmost importance and that is why I was disappointed with the response at the time as no specific steps or timetable were outlined to resolve the issues to alleviate the suffering of residents. Why hasn’t that report been prepared yet? If there is a reason, it can be said when it is prepared and sent to the cabinet so that steps can be taken to help those relatives.”

Councilor Tim Jenkins said he and the park manager visited Bucks Hill Cemetery. “Obviously there is a flooding problem,” he said.

“We have identified four areas, the creek has been lacking maintenance for a number of years so it is clogged, there are blockages and that is causing an inflow of water from the top of the site. There is also a problem under Skey. Drive, which is the biggest problem I think.

“There is drainage from Skey Drive into the creek at the bottom and I think there is a blockage there. I know the parks manager contacted the county to get them to look at it.

“Another problem is with a ditch at the bottom, there is also a blockage there. But it’s a long-standing problem and I get emails from bereaved people as well and I’m frustrated by it (situation). We are on it, we will deal with it and provide a report.”

Account Collett said a formal report was needed. “There will be a report,” said council leader Chris Watkins, who explained why tackling flooding was particularly important to him.

“Believe me, I want to sort this out as much as anybody because I have at least ten or 11 graves out there that I visit,” he said. “So I’d like to see this settled once and for all.”

A council officer explained that there was a “timing problem” with the creation of the report. “It was not ignored, there was a time issue as the meeting took place less than a month ago. We will do a review, write a report and get it in time for cabinet.”

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