Grieving son hits out over 'appalling' muddy mess at London Road Cemetery

[dutchman]

Restoration works have run over at the cemetery



A grieving son has hit out at the council for what he’s described as the ‘appalling’ state of London Road Cemetery.

Restoration works are ongoing at the Grade I listed cemetery and were due to be completed by October.

But the end date has been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, causing anger among some.

Anton Sealey, who lost his mother earlier this year, said every time he visits the cemetery there is mud all over the road and he has even noticed tyre tracks which appear to have narrowly missed some of the older headstones.

He said it’s the “last thing you need” when someone is grieving.

“It’s appalling,” Anton added. “I know they have got works going on but the workers should have some compassion, knowing what the site is.

“Me and mum were very close. As much as I do get comfort from going there, it’s upsetting seeing it all in such a poor state.”

Anton lost his mum in May. She had battled cancer for seven years and caught Covid at the care home where she was receiving end of life care. She was aged just 53.

Anton said his mother’s last wish had been to be interred at London Road Cemetery where her own mother, who died in 1997, is buried.

On one occasion when he visited, Anton said his car skidded in the mud. Paths have also been closed off without notice, he added.

Coventry City Council said it had hoped to have the works complete by October, which would have avoided the issues caused by mud, but due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, this wasn’t possible.

It’s now hoped that the restoration works will be completed by early next year.

A spokesman for the council added that they have taken action over the complaints, with contractors hiring a machine to sweep the site at the end of every shift.