A FAMILY have slammed the council over plans to build a new road just yards from their son's grave.

The Rooney family, from Atherton, were told at a public meeting last week that the proposed A5225 "Gateway to Wigan" road to Lovers Lane would be built just 15 feet away from the Howe Bridge Cemetery -- with only a hedge separating the graves from the road.

Their son Ben was only three days old when he died in 2000 and was buried at the cemetery.

The Rooney's of Stanley Street said the new route would run "too close" to where Ben is buried -- and they would consider moving their son if the proposals got the green light.

And now the council have been forced to change their plans after they agreed to build the new road half-a-mile away from the cemetery following protests from distressed relatives.

Distraught mum, Laura Rooney said: "We decided to bury Ben in the cemetery because it was quiet but the new road would just be too close to where he is. He is buried next to a fence where the new road is going to be built.

"If they decide to build the road we will move Ben from where he is, because I'm not having him next to a road. This is causing us so much stress, I can't believe that there will only be a hedge separating the cemetery.

"We agree there needs to be a new road to Wigan but surely something can be done to build the route elsewhere."

A council spokesman said: "We are aware of some anxieties surrounding the proposals and are very keen to build the road about half-a-mile further away from the original proposals."