GRIEVING families have hit out at Flintshire Council over flooding at a local cemetery.

Due to ‘drainage issues’ and heavy rainfall, graves at Kelsterton Cemetery in Connah’s Quay have been left under water, with loved ones having to wear wellies when visiting.

Graham Kelsall, whose mum and dad are buried there, said this was a ‘disgrace’ and a ‘scandal’ that this has been allowed to happen.

He told the Leader: “I contacted Cllr Bernie Attridge who spoke to Cllr Andy Dunbobbin and a meeting was arranged with Flintshire Council’s bereavement manager who confirmed the drainage system has to be a certain distance below the surface.

“But this one is below hard clay so when it rains, it will always be flooded. It’s scandalous. They basically said the work would be too expensive and they haven’t got the money to fix it.

“This would be something they’ve always known about. How do you buy a field, decide to build a cemetery and now realise it will always be flooded?

“I accept that the people buried there are dead but the thought of what is going on below the surface frightens me. If someone wants to go and visit their loved ones, they can’t in winter because it’s flooded.

“It’s about time the people in Connah’s Quay were aware of this. It’s not just me, other people are not happy about it.

“We have to wear wellies just to go and see our loved ones and squelch through mud, some graves are inches deep in water.”

Graham said due to the flooding, the ground is ‘slippery’ which is creating a danger for the elderly generation who want to visit their loved ones.

He added: “It is frightening but what’s annoyed me is that the council would have known about this and not done anything because it’s too expensive, but it’s only going to get worse as you add more graves.

“People can’t visit properly. Our loved ones deserve some dignity and I do dread what is going on below if the top is flooded.

“But from a family point of view, you should have the right to visit a grave and mourn in a decent way rather than slip and slide through mud. It’s frustrating and annoying.

“It’s also upsetting because I like to go and visit my mum and dad. You’ve got to be in that position to know what it feels like but the fact I can’t over the winter because it’s too dangerous.

“It’s like they don’t care but questions do need to be asked. The grieving process is bad enough but not having a place to go is too much.

“People forget that you pay for a space there and that’s an awful lot of money for the council to say they aren’t prepared to give anything back.

“An apology is no good. What are they going to do to fix it? They can’t keep offering that facility if they can’t stop the flooding.”

Cllr Bernie Attridge said he was ‘appalled’ and is calling on Flintshire Council to ‘act now’.

He added: “This is very distressing for families. How this has been allowed to happen is beyond me, people visiting graves should not need to wear wellies. They should hang their heads in shame.”

Steve Jones, Chief Officer Streetscene and Transportation said: "Many of the Council’s cemeteries became waterlogged after the heavy rainfall experienced in the area during January and this is particularly the case in Kelsterton Cemetery due to the heavy clay layer which prevents water draining away from the surface.

"The Council has installed a significant underground drainage system at the site which we are currently reviewing to identify any improvements which may help dry out the surface layer."