Argyll and Bute Council is to
deal with unsafe headstones in cemeteries throughout the area
by securing them with supportive structures, instead of laying
them flat.
Since 1997, a total of 9,035 headstones have been laid flat in
Argyll and Bute because of safety concerns. To date, 4,687 of
these have already been re-erected.
However, an inspection programme
recently carried out by the Council has revealed that a
further 1,500 headstones are at risk of falling.
Argyll and Bute Council’s
Head of Roads and Amenity Services, Stewart Turner, said:
“Argyll and Bute Council has a responsibility to ensure that
cemeteries are safe for staff and that visitors can access
them safely.
“As a result, the Council has
decided that instead of laying these unsafe headstones flat,
which has caused some upset to family members in the past, we
now plan to support the headstones temporarily with wood,
enabling them to remain in an upright position.”
Of the headstones which are
at risk, most are in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay area
and also in Helensburgh and Lomond. |
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