Gloucester cemetery diggers 'driving over graves'

Alastair Chambers claims the reason the council wants fences gone is because workers drive over the graves

There is growing anger over mini diggers and other heavy machinery driving over people's graves, councillors say.

Concerns were raised in a meeting about the rules at Coney Hill Cemetery and Crematorium in Gloucester.

Alastair Chambers, who represents nearby Matson ward, said: "I've got photo after photo of heavy machinery crossing family members' bodies."

Gloucester City Council has agreed to review its cemetery regulations.

The issue came to light after mum Sharna Andrews was told the colourful fence which surrounds her late son's grave has to be removed as it does not comply with the cemetery rules.

But Mr Chambers said the real reason the council wants such fences gone is because workers drive over them.

Sharna Andrews' son Harry-Lee died last year after suffering a severe asthma attack

"That is the real reason. Planning and organisation at this crematorium should be in such a way that respect is given to the dead," he said.

Mr Chambers also said there were several health and safety risks across the site with knocked-over gravestones, bollards and two-foot deep holes, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The mini digger has to be moved in short notice to dig or reopen graves, Hannah Norman said

He told the council meeting on 16 November that the crematorium managers agreed the rules were not fit for purpose.

"The rules are not fair nor accurate. The excuse from the council is they signed [them] at burial," Mr Chambers added.

"You're giving a list of rules and regulations for parents to sign the day they buried their child.

"And then enforcing these rules by giving them a letter saying if they do not remove them in 14 days their graves will be stripped."

Mr Chambers said he was asked over and over again by different family members to bring this issue forward to be debated by the council.

Concerns were also raised over the general state of the cemetery

Deputy leader and performance and resources cabinet member Hannah Norman said that the current rules and regulations are there to support operational activities at the cemetery.

Diggers need to drive over some of the graves and this is the reason why they need a stonemason-approved kerb set, she said.

"Movement of the digger can mean that graves which do not have a stonemasons approved kerb set can be damaged if they use a different edging.

"Unfortunately, the grounds team do not have the capacity to move wooden, plastic or metal edgings prior to operating the digger and placing it back afterwards.

"Use of the digger next to such edging is highly likely to cause damage and cause further upset to the families.

"This is absolutely something the council is highly motivated to avoid."

The council has unanimously agreed to review its cemetery rules and regulations.

The matter is expected to be debated again in January, and in the meantime, no action will be taken against people in breach of the rules.