Rossendale Borough Council is reassuring residents that ongoing work taking place across all Council-managed cemeteries is part of a planned programme to ensure the safety of memorials.
Following a tragic incident earlier this year, the Council has a legal duty to check the stability and safety of memorials to help protect visitors, families and staff. These checks are taking place sensitively and respectfully, with full awareness of how important these spaces are to local communities.
The current phase of work involves inspecting memorials and, where necessary, taking temporary measures to make them safe. These measures may include:
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fencing off small areas,
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staking and banding memorials, or
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carefully laying memorials down where there is an immediate safety concern.
Residents visiting loved ones’ graves over the holiday period may notice these works in progress. The Council would like to reassure the public that these actions are temporary and precautionary and are being carried out solely to prevent the risk of injury.
Once all memorials have been made temporarily safe, the Council will move to a further programme of works to put more permanent arrangements in place. This will include the re-erection of memorials wherever possible, in line with safety standards and best practice.
Where the Council holds up-to-date contact details for memorial owners, letters will be issued directly to explain the situation and outline the next steps.
The Council understands that seeing memorials affected in this way can be upsetting and thanks residents for their patience and understanding while this essential work is completed.
Anyone who requires further information or has concerns is encouraged to contact the Council’s Bereavement Services, who will be able to provide advice and support.