Cemetery expansion to begin amid space concerns
GoogleExtension works are to begin at a cemetery after warnings a town could run out of burial space by spring this year if no action is taken.
Thorntree Cemetery in Middlesbrough will see work on hundreds of new plots and drainage systems begin over the summer, with completion expected by autumn. It would result in a further five to ten years of capacity at the site.
At the same time, feasibility reports are being compiled on a possible expansion of Acklam Cemetery across town.
Funeral services will continue to take place throughout the project with work stopped as appropriate, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
Previous reports warned of the town's cemeteries running out of space.
The Labour-led council's executive member for environment and sustainability Peter Gavigan said: "This extension is vital so that people can continue to be buried in the cemetery in accordance with their wishes."
While large parts of the site will be untouched, much of the work will focus in the south of the cemetery, near to Cinderwood, which is prone to flooding.
Extra grave space will be created in the southern corner, while some paths and roads will be resurfaced.
A former play area in the south east of the wider site will be made into a new section of cemetery
The works will also see a new multi-faith area, predominantly reserved for Muslim burials as it will be facing Mecca.
The roundabout at the entrance will be removed and a car park will be created next to Cargo Fleet Lane.
Additionally, the council's bereavement services manager Nicky Raine said a proposed one-way system will mean cars do not have to pass each other, which will prevent divots and incidents of grass being torn up by vehicles straying from the road.
