Residents angry at the poor state of cemeteries in Hounslow have urged the council to restore dignity to resting places.
Poor maintenance, access problems and issues over parking restrictions are among the complaints from families visiting loved ones at a number of burial grounds including Borough Cemetery in Powder Mill Lane, Hounslow Cemetery in Hanworth Road and Feltham Cemetery in Sunbury Road.
Now members of the Feltham Alliance Tenants’ and Residents’ Association (TRA) called on the council to stop hiding behind budget pressures and respect the dead.
David Howell, 71, co-ordinator of the residents’ association, said: "I make contact every couple of months with councillors and cabinet members and the transport department but get no response. On this estate many of us have buried family members in different cemeteries across the borough. A lot of us have grandparents, great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents buried in the borough and we are cheesed off."
Last week the Feltham Chronicle reported how families visiting loved ones were disgusted by the dangerously deep potholes at Bedfont Cemetery, to which the council responded the cost of repairs were being assessed alongside other priorities.
Residents are glad to have the support of MP for Feltham and Heston, Seema Malhotra, who said: “I have previously visited the cemeteries and have seen first hand the difficulty elderly relatives and families have visiting the graves of their loved ones. Cemeteries need to be looked after so that they can be the places of comfort and reflection for those remembering their loved ones.”
Issues highlighted over the years include people being injured at St Mary’s Cemetery in Bedfont; no access on weekends to Borough Cemetery; poor maintenance and access issues at Hounslow Cemetery; and no vehicle access and parking restrictions at Feltham Cemetery.
Members have suggested funding partnerships whereby community groups and churches help bring in money to assist with repairs, which must be identified and agreed on by all groups involved.
Councillor Ajmer Grewal, cabinet member for leisure and public health, said: “These are the first reports I have had about issues at these cemeteries, and they will be looked into by officers so we can take the necessary steps to address these concerns.
“There are budget pressures at the council but we are not hiding behind them – we are being open and up front about the situation. I can understand residents’ concerns and I am happy to have a dialogue with them about a set of issues they clearly feel strongly about.”
