Supervise the maintenance of Blaris Cemetary (New)

We require Lisburn City Council to take action now to meet the needs and requirements of the families and friends of loved ones who have been laid to rest at Blaris Cemetery (New).

They are increasingly getting frustrated and upset at the lack of care and respect towards their loved ones graves by the maintenance workers at this cemetery and lack of the enforcement and implementation of rules and regulations regarding the use of vehicles within this area.

More and more times these workers are causing grief due to lack of care taken, in particular when cutting the grass. Many items on the graves are being broken and the cut grass is not being cleared up afterwards.

The headstones are being left with wet dirty grass all over them and in some cases headstones have been damaged. There is also a health and safety issue due to footpaths being left with wet slippery grass and dirt all over them. This is a danger for anyone walking through the cemetery, especially those who may have difficulty walking or may be infirm.

The metal template for cutting out a new grave, and the wooden planks used each time a plot is opened are left just lying on the grass beside other graves instead of being stored away daily in the maintenance area.

On numerous occasions friends and families have asked the council not to cut the grass of their loved ones graves as they wish to do this themselves. They have put string and signs around and over the graves with PLEASE DO NOT CUT THE GRASS only to find this has been taken off and even the signs have been cut up.

Also certain inconsiderate visitors to the cemetery who have no respect for others have been seen to drive on the grass and over some graves.

Family and friends of loved ones believe the cemetery should have some kind of monitoring and supervision and they should be able to care and attend to their graves personally