Cash to spruce up cemeteries
RECOMMENDATIONS for improvements to work facilities in cemeteries were approved by Halton Council’s executive board at a meeting on Thursday, April 19.
The plans now have to receive the approval of the Full Council before work can commence.
An executive board report said that the garage facility at Widnes Cemetery was in need of replacing, and new waste bays were required at both Runcorn Cemetery and Widnes Cemetery.
The garage at Widnes, which is used for the storage of expensive equipment such as a dumper truck, a mechanical excavator and mowing machines, was declared ‘dangerous’ in the report, which said it must be demolished.
As a result, the dumper truck and the excavator are currently being stored in the open, and the mowing machines had to be moved to Victoria Park.
The executive board agreed to erect a new purpose-built garage at Widnes Cemetery along with associated hardstanding. ●
Although a new cemetery will open in Widnes within the next year, the existing facility will continue to see grave excavations for many years to come and, therefore, the council decided it will still require maintenance.
It was also approved that both cemeteries would be provided with new storage bays.
Widnes Cemetery has no adequate storage bays for surplus soil, resulting in several unsightly temporary storage areas being created, which are in plain view of visitors.
The report said Runcorn Cemetery does have a storage bay but is no longer fit for purpose.
The new facility would be located towards the rear of the cemetery, at a point that will not be in full public view.
The works are estimated to cost £210,000.