‘Leaking tombs’ have forced part of an Ayrshire cemetery to be shut off to mourners.
People wishing to visit their loved ones' resting place will be unable to do so for at least three weeks after council bosses took the decision to probe water ingress into burial lairs at Ayr Cemetery.
It follows a previous council probe after concerns were raised that conditions at the Holmston Road burial grounds were like a ‘mud bath’ last autumn.
It is understood ‘above ground’ mausoleum tombs are leaking water and a mourner was left shocked to see water trickling from their beloved’s chamber last year.
The mausoleum tombs were installed at a cost of £64,000 per tomb with each structure holding enough space for eight bodies with the first appearing at Ayr Cemetery in 2019.
It is understood there are at least a dozen of the mausoleums currently on the site.
Now council teams are having to probe the leakage at the newer eastern side of the cemetery for the remainder of the month.
Investigation work started on Monday, January 10 with specialist teams called in to carry out the delicate operation.
A source has revealed to Ayrshire Live how teams will drill small holes and insert cameras to inspect possible leaks.
South Ayrshire Council have ensured mourners the work will be carried out “respectfully and safely”.
Access to the Ayr extension Butterfly Baby and Cremated Remains section will still be available.
A spokesperson for the local authority said: “Concerns were raised by a member of the public that there may be water ingress into some of the chambers in Ayr Cemetery extension.
“An investigation is now being carried out by a specialist and this should take around three weeks to complete.
“During this time, the cemetery extension will be closed to the public to allow the investigation to be carried out respectfully and safely.
“Access to the Ayr extension Butterfly Baby and Cremated Remains section will still be available.
“We know this may be upsetting for some and we would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause throughout the duration of the works.’
Ward councillor Brian McGinley is hopeful that no major issues will be discovered during the probe.
The council’s depute leader said: “We don’t anticipate any major problems, it is purely a precautionary measure.
The Labour politician added: “We are checking that everything is as it should be, we have had concerns passed onto us but people don’t have any evidence that there are leaks because the chambers are sealed.
“The workers are going to drill a small hole into the chamber so there will be no disruption to any tombs.”
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