Urgent review carried out after flooding at Vale Cemetery

The flood followed several days of inclement weather in Luton.

The River Lea burst its banks on Thursday due to heavy rains, leading to surface floods in areas including Wandon Park, Moor Park and parts of Hatters Way.

Yesterday, a Luton Borough Council spokesman stated: "We are aware of flooding that has occurred over the last 24 hours at the Vale Cemetery and are very sorry for the distress that this will cause to families visiting the area.

"We have already commissioned an engineer to review drainage in this area of the cemetery however the heavy rains over the last 24 hours have clearly highlighted an issue with adjacent land which we will pursue with the owners as a matter of urgency.

"We've started a programme of improvements including improved access, constructing new footpaths and enhanced cleaning. Preparations underway to create new burial areas to relieve the pressure from existing sites to allow us to make improvements to prevent this issue recurring."

A recent consultation to extend the burial ground on the other side of Butterfield Green Road closed last Wednesday, January 13, and its finding are expected to be revealed on February 1.