Graveyard topple testing to start in Darwen cemetery

8:10pm Friday 14th November 2008

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By Catherine Pye »

RELATIVES of people buried in the ‘New’ Darwen Eastern Cemetery are the next to face controversial ‘topple-testing’ on their loved one’s final resting places.

The controversial health and safety tests have caused outrage in other cemeteries, with hundreds of headstones strapped up or laid on the floor and relatives told to foot the repair bill.

Inspections check how the stone responds when pressure is applied equivalent to someone pulling themselves up from the ground with a memorial.

Previously, if headstones moved under the 35kg pressure, they were marked with stickers and in some cases had bands and stakes attached for support.

Grave owners in Darwen Eastern Cemetery, on the left hand side of Bolton Road as it travels towards Bolton, are yet to find out if they will have to foot the bill for any repairs. Blackburn with Darwen Council have not confirmed whether they will pay for the costs of reinstatement.

The Government is expected to announce new guidelines for councils on how the procedure should be carried out.

But the council’s executive member for regeneration Alan Cottam confirmed the council was looking at paying for the repairs.

Earlier this week he said: “It’s not finalised yet, because we are waiting for guidance. But if we test a stone and it comes loose we will repair it. This is a good story.”

Coalition councillor Roy Davies, who has a mother, a brother and cousins in Darwen Eastern Cemetary, has issued a challenge to Coun Cottam.

He said: “I know that the testing is about to start and I know that it has been said that if the tests cause damage, the council will pay.

“But it concerns me - how do you know what damage is being caused unless you stand over the person doing it every time?

“I want Alan Cottam to put his money where his mouth is and give an open invitation to anyone to go and watch what is going on.”