North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston has welcomed the beginning of drainage works by council at Ballee Cemetery in Ballymena.
Families who have loved ones buried in the cemetery highlighted the issue of flooding last October when a number of graves were left covered in puddles of water and lowers areas were completely flooded.
At the same time freshly dug burial plots slowly filled with water as it seeped through the waterlogged ground, before even loved ones were laid to rest.
Welcoming the work, Timothy Gaston MLA said:
“I have been working with a number of families and other councillors over the last number of months to press council to deal with the unacceptable ground conditions throughout a number of segments in Ballee Cemetery.
”After successfully getting these works added to the Capital Plan it’s great to see a start has been made by the contractor this week.
”It was important to have favourable ground conditions when carrying out these works to ensure minimal disruption is caused to those coming to the cemetery to pay their respects.”
Families have also called on Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to improve pathways with the cemetery on the Toome Road. It is understood the local authority does have plans to upgrade existing roadways and pathways, and these will be carried out separately from the drainage works.