Work at Cullompton cemetery causes flooding fears for resident (From Mid Devon Star)

Work at Cullompton cemetery causes flooding fears for resident

9:00am Friday 19th October 2012 in News By Daniel Milligan

A DISABLED pensioner says work to extend a cemetery near his home has left him frightened his property could flood, leaving him stranded.

David Addison, 78, who struggles to walk, has lived on Gatehouse Close in Cullompton for 29 years but said last week's heavy rains left his garden flooded out.

He said: “They have lifted all the grass and mud which would have absorbed the rain I can't see that they have made any provisions to stop it flooding.

“It is affecting others as well and it is totally frightening. I can't get out of my house if it's flooding.”

The Star has previously reported that work on the extension in Langlands Road had suffered a setback from the recent poor weather and another nearby couple's garden had suffered a partial collapse.

Further delays were caused when diggers moved in to begin work only to find that the site had been filled with sand at some time in the past - an unstable substance that is difficult to work on.

Cullompton Town Council is behind the cemetery extension and a spokesman said: “It was unfortunate we got the heavy rain at a stage of the build when all the drainage wasn't in.

“Last week's rain was unprecedented. Some of the drainage cannot be put in yet before other parts of the project are completed such as the road going around the cemetery.

“All the contractors who were there on the day were working hard to divert the water away from the road and they are happy that there will be sufficient drainage once all the work is completed.”

It is hoped the work will be finished by Christmas, with screening trees, shrubs and grass due to be planted in the New Year.