Path removed for 300 extra graves at London Road Cemetery

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Removing a path through a Coventry cemetery will provide enough space to bury another 300 people, council officials have said.



Coventry City Council said it regularly had to turn away people who wanted to bury relatives at the London Road Cemetery because the site was full.

However, some people argue removing the path would spoil the cemetery's look.

The council said it would ensure "good access" to graves while the work was carried out.

Cheylesmore councillor Hazel Noonan, who is against the plans, said it did not "seem right" to remove the path.

"It's such a nice cemetery and it's been built and designed with all the mixture of roadways so people can walk, see to their loved ones and reminisce and have fond memories," Ms Noonan added.

A council spokesperson said: "Part of the path in London Road has been removed, levelled and seeded and I hope people will bear with us until the grass begins to grow and it blends in with the surrounding area.

"The remainder of the path is scheduled for removal and seeding over the next two weeks," the spokesperson added.

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Graves plan U-turn at Coventry's London Road Cemetery

WORK to dig up paths to build more graves at Coventry’s London Road Cemetery has been stopped after a council U-turn.

It comes after the Telegraph reported that about 300 graves were being installed in roadways at the landmark Victorian burial place – to the horror of families of those buried there.

Workmen dug up around 100 yards of concrete and metal gates sprang up, blocking off six of the main through pathways in January.

But after an outcry, Coventry City Council has ditched plans to dig up any further pathways.

A walkway will also be re-installed alongside the area already dug up.

Coun Hazel Noonan was joined by members of the Friends of London Road Cemetery when Coun Lindsley Harvard, cabinet member for city services, approved the U-turn at the Council House.

“We’re over the moon that the council has listened,” Coun Noonan (Con, Cheylesmore) said. “I’m pleased the cemetery will remain as it was intended and designed more than 100 years ago.

“The design of the network of roadways was designed so that people had access. We would have ended up walking over and around graves and it would have just looked awful.”

Relatives were furious after finding the path – dating back to 1837 – had been dug up and could be the first of many.

The council said in January changes were made in response to regular requests for burials at London Road Cemetery, which is full.

Officers did not confirm at the time whether or not the fenced-off areas would definitely be dug up.

Coun Noonan handed in a petition with 44 signatures opposing the changes and demanding consultation with relatives and the Friends of London Road Cemetery group.

Yesterday’s cabinet member’s meeting also saw a decision to suspend the reservation of graves, unless in exceptional circumstances, across the city until 2013.

A council report by Sandra Turner, bereavement services manager, said: “Whilst there are no plans to continue to use paths for burials, the use of a limited number in the cemetery has increased the number of graves available in Coventry.”

Coun Kevin Foster, Tory group leader and Cheylesmore ward councillor, added: “Compared to what the council said at the time this is a pretty dramatic U-turn. We’re pleased to see these changes, and part of that is a commitment to engage with the Friends group.

“Our concern was that those with loved ones there didn’t know anything about it until metal fences were put up.”