Furious families call for council to act on water-logged cemetery

Ted Peskett, local democracy reporter 

A council has said it will further investigate problems with waterlogging at a cemetery that has left families in distress.

Drainge issues have struck Sarn Cemtery again, leaving a number of grave-sides at the south eastern corner of the site water-logged.

One resident from Bridgend, Andrew Forward, was going to visit the gravesides of his mother and father when he noticed that things were getting worse.

“I have got my mum and my dad in one grave and where they are, the water is so terrible that one of these days [I feel like] the coffins are going to be floating out of there,” said Andrew.

He added that the amount of water where his mother and father are resting is “unbelievable”.

Andrew said: “With my mother only having just passed five months ago, it is getting worse there and I don’t want to be going down there and seeing her coffin floating on top [of the ground].

“It’s getting bad with the weather. With global warming, the tides are getting higher and the rains are coming down worse.

“There is flooding everywhere. It’s not just the cemetery.”

‘Significant’ 

Independent councillor for Ynysawdre, Tim Thomas, said a “significant” number of people living in Ynysawdre, Sarn and Bryncethin have raised their concerns with him over the “drainage of a section of Sarn Cemetery”.

He said: “Many people have complained to me that when they have visited the graves of loves ones, sometimes they are a few inches under water.

“Generally, Sarn Cemetery is well kept and an appreciated community asset. However, for some people the drainage issue has caused considerable distress.

“I have met with families at the Cemetry, and I recently requested a site visit with BCBC officers.

“They are aware of the situation and as a result have implemented some additional drainage measures. However, video footage and meetings with local people, have indicated that these measures are insufficient.

“It’s a difficult problem to remedy, but I am continuing to call on BCBC to ensure the area is free from flooding through out the year and to implement more drainage measures for access rain water to run into.”

A BCBC spokesperson said: “Bridgend County Borough Council are aware of the drainage issues at Sarn Cemetery and have instigated some additional drainage measures.

“The local authority realise how upsetting this is for the community and, as there is now more information regarding the drainage, council officers will now investigate further and consider what action can be taken.”