Gravestone tests recommence (From Oxford Mail)

Gravestone tests recommence

7:04pm Sunday 16th August 2009 in

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The third phase of a £50,000 programme to remove dangerous headstones from Oxford’s cemeteries and churchyards starts next month.

Oxford City Council begins a four-day inspection of thousands of gravestones in Headington Cemetery and St James’ Churchyard on Monday, September 7.

In 2005, more than 2,000 gravestones were branded unsafe and laid flat in the city’s four council-owned cemeteries and 10 churchyards.

The campaign followed increasing fears that people visiting relatives’ graves could be injured or killed by falling gravestones.

In 2007, the council began a four-year rolling inspection programme, which has so far resulted in 18 memorials being laid flat in Wolvercote Cemetery, 13 memorials in SS Mary & John, Cowley, nine in St Mary's, Littlemore, two in Botley Cemetery and two in St Sepulchre's Cemetery.

The programme has so far cost £20,600, while this year’s inspections of Headington Cemetery in Dunstan Road and St James’ Churchyard in Beauchamp Lane are expected to cost a further £8,000.

Bob Timbs, the city’s executive member for sport and leisure, said: “It’s important we carry out this work to ensure the cemeteries and graveyards are safe places to visit departed loved ones.

“This has to be done.

“In St James’ some of the gravestones were really tipping over and they have got to be tested by experts. The pathway is used by children on the way to school.

“The last thing we want is to have an accident involving anyone where one of these gravestones has fallen on them. As the rolling programme continues we hope to see fewer and fewer memorials needing to be staked or laid down.”

Although there have been no incidents at Oxford’s burial grounds, a six-year-old boy suffered fatal injuries in a graveyard in Harrogate, Yorkshire in 2000.

His parents received £33,000 compensation from the local council.

Grave memorials remain the responsibility of the families who erect them. They are also liable for the price of repair work, which could cost up to £400.

However, the city council acknowledges it has a duty of care to protect the public from unstable memorials.

As part of the inspection a three-part test is undertaken, comprising visual and physical check of the headstones.

If necessary, a testing device, is then used to assess the force it would take to knock over the memorial.

The council is set to check St Giles, St Cross, St Mary Magdalen, St Mary's, St Andew’s, Headington and Osney churchyards in 2010. Rose Hill Cemetery will be inspected the following year.