New drainage solution set for Forres cemetery
Loved ones of those buried at Clovenside in Forres have often seen the area flooded
Last updated 12th Aug 2021
Most notably last Winter, Clovenside Cemetery in Forres experienced disruptive and often distressing flooding.
However new drainage works will see improvements of around £56,000. On the surface the drainage works, known as raingarden, will look like a small dip planted with meadow grasses and native shrubs. The dip is designed to capture any rainwater runoff to allow it to drain into the soil below.
The soil beneath will have high sand content with a deep layer of stone underneath to maximise drainage.
Some trees have already been removed from the lowest point in the cemetery to allow for works but they will be replaced by trees around the perimeter of the cemetery.
Moray Council Open Spaces Manager, James Hunter, said: “Contractors are expected to be on site by mid-September with work estimated to take 3-4 weeks. The bit that will take the longest will be the excavation and removal of over 100 tonnes of soil and broken bricks that make up the current soakaway.
Throughout the excavation and raingarden development we will minimise any disturbance, by installing screenings, and work will pause when any burials take place."