Plans to improve access

Cemetery work

A programme of improvements are set to be carried out at a West Lothian graveyard.

A review of access arrangements at Hermand Park Cemetery in West Calder has been carried out by West Lothian Council and a number of improvements have been made to improve disabled and pedestrian access. However, further improvement work is planned to allow the car park to be open to visitors at all times.

Depute leader of West Lothian Council, Cathy Muldoon, added: “I’m very pleased to confirm that the cemetery gates will once again be open for visitors. Work will take place to screen the burial area from the car park which will allow the gates to be open at all times to visitors from Monday, September 19. The work will include alterations to paths and hedgerows. Monitoring of the cemetery will continue and I would also encourage anyone who sees antisocial behaviour in any cemetery to report it to the police on 101 or call the council on 01506 280000. In an emergency call 999.”

Executive councillor for the environment, Tom Conn, said: “Unfortunately when the cemetery opened there were regular incidences of antisocial behaviour involving vehicles at the cemetery.This caused great distress to friends and families who visited the site. In order to deal with this, apart from internments, the cemetery gates had to be closed to vehicles. However, the council has monitored the cemetery and as it has become more established, the antisocial behaviour has ceased.”