Issue - meetings

To provide an update on Ashby Road Cemetery, further to the motion to Council on 25 January 2022.

Further to a motion to Council on 25 January 2022, the Scrutiny Commission received a presentation on works to improve surface water drainage at Ashby Road Cemetery. It was noted that since opening in 1858 the cemetery had had two extensions, the most recent in 2009.

Members were informed that in March 2021 a small number of complaints had been received about surface water to the newest extension. Consultants were engaged to review the drainage system and in November 2021 additional drainage was installed. Following the motion to Council, new consultants were appointed to review the matter. The consultants reviewed the initial risk assessment from 2007 where there was a moderate risk, meeting Environment Agency requirements and concluded that the risk was now low.

The consultants also considered the impact of the new development on the site of the “Big Pit” and concluded that it would not affect the existing cemetery extension. It was noted that this would be monitored throughout the construction of the new development. The cemetery was at a higher level than the Big Pit site.

The cemetery was monitored daily Monday to Friday and at weekends during times of high rainfall. 17 days of wetter ground were recorded but these were during periods of high rainfall. The drainage system was designed for surface water from precipitation to percolate through the system over an eight hour period.

Further work was planned to increase drains on the adjacent section and on hardstanding areas and between existing graves subject to the agreement of families.