Families angry at state of Larkhall cemetery

Mar 27 2008

GRIEVING families this week hit out over the general condition of Larkhall Cemetery.

They claim the graveyard is neglected and that more needs to be done to maintain it.

It is not the first time residents have complained about the cemetery.

The Advertiser reported last May how bereaved relatives were left heartbroken after vandals caused £100,000 of damage when they trashed up to 30 graves at the cemetery.

Yobs as young as 10 were believed to be behind the sickening attacks, pushing over headstones during the wrecking spree. It was the third time that hooligans targeted the graveyard in a six-week period.

Residents also complained that the graveyard looks untidy when leaves falling from trees during the autumn are not cleared.

Others said that the footpaths are slippy and dangerous during the winter months.

One fed-up member of the public said: “It is an utter disaster down there.

“Lesmahagow has a beautiful cemetery, why can’t Larkhall be kept the same way?

“Even the new cemetery is an absolute disgrace.

“Some of the paths are in a bad state.”

Larkhall Labour councillor Jackie Burns said he had received some complaints about the cemetery.

Councillor Burns has set up a meeting with the manager of Land Services to discuss the issue on site.

He added: “I will meet the manager at the cemetery within the next 10 days in a bid to resolve any outstanding issues there.

“I was at the cemetery recently and it looked fine to me.

“It isn’t in a bad state of disrepair, but there may be some issues that we need to address.”

Larkhall SNP councillor Lesley McDonald, who went along to look at the cemetery on Tuesday, said: “There could be some work done on the footpaths.

“I will speak to Land Services and find out what can be done about it.”

A South Lanarkshire Council spokeswoman said: “We are currently putting together a bereavement strategy incorporating footpath repairs for all South Lanarkshire’s cemeteries.

“We are filling in potholes where necessary until the strategy has been completed and a programme of works can be assessed.”

pics of graveyard on p5, May 24, 2007