UPGRADE works at Paisley’s Hawkhead Cemetery have been welcomed – but a pressure group has warned they are “undermined” by the state of the paths.

Various improvements have been made at the Hawkhead Road site, which ranges from investment in the roads and drainage infrastructure to the long overdue painting of railings.

Des Barr, who formed the Friends of Hawkhead Cemetery group, has been lobbying Renfrewshire Council on the issue of maintenance and repairs for the commemorative facility for more than a year.

“Any improvements to Hawkhead Cemetery are to be welcomed,” he said.

“However, these works on the roads are somewhat undermined by the still terrible state of the paths that people walk on.

“They are covered in moss and weeds and could cause injury if someone slipped on the paths when they are wet.

“We, as a group, have been trying to persuade Renfrewshire Council to clear these paths of moss and weeds for more than a year but they appear to be unable to clear the paths.”

Work is ongoing at the infant memorial garden at Hawkhead – an area for parents and families to remember children who have died – where new benches have been put in place.

This has included moving teddies, which were left at the spot and had deteriorated over time, into storage.

Labour councillor Carolann Davidson, who represents Paisley East and Central, said: “I’ve seen how it’s looking with the new benches and they still have more plans for it but it’s looking fantastic.

“It’s very thoughtful. It’s just so much better for people who want to sit and reflect. I’m really looking forward to seeing it completed.

“I understand how important the teddies are to the grieving families who put them there and I have been assured by officers that they were put into storage out of respect to the families.

“They have done a lot with the drainage and infrastructure of the roads throughout the cemetery.

“I am so glad that the railings have finally been painted as I have been pushing for this for so many years.

“Anything I’ve asked officers to do, they’ve done it. I have also been pushing for toilet facilities for a long time and I’m still pushing for that.”

A council spokesperson said: “We have invested more than £300,000 in Hawkhead Cemetery to ensure friends and relatives have a welcoming place to remember their loved ones and the upgrade works carried out include improved drainage, new kerbs and resurfacing of internal roads – as well as planting cherry trees and adding a lectern and benches to the memorial garden.

“Ongoing maintenance will continue to take place within the cemetery to ensure it remains at a high standard for those visiting to pay their respects.”