Overgrown grass in Bolton’s cemeteries ‘an insult'

Bolton council has pledged to ‘significantly improve’ grounds maintenance at cemeteries after a rise in complaints about overgrown grass. The full council heard that some relatives of people buried in the borough’s cemeteries viewed the current state of some cemeteries as ‘an insult to their loved ones’. The council has pledged to review and improve services and blamed recent wet weather for a ‘later start’ to maintenance work.

Westhoughton councillor David Wilkinson brought up the issue. READ MORE: Astley Bridge Cemetery concerns raised over condition Woman's upset after grass not cut at cemetery He said: “Overgrown grass in cemeteries is of major importance to many people. “It’s something which upsets them, it offends them, it makes them angry.

“Most members will have had complaints about this, I’ve had a lot. “I recently visited Westhoughton cemetery and saw a woman, late 80s, in a wheelchair, visiting a grave surrounded by grass inches deep. “For those who have loved ones in the council’s cemeteries they view the conditions as an insult to their relatives.

“The excuse put forward is that ‘it’s wet and warm’ however other authorities have managed to keep on top of the grass cutting issues and maintain their cemeteries. “Even the half hearted attempts to cut the grass have resulted in a poor job being done.” Cllr Wilkinson asked for an assurance that the ‘deplorable state’ of cemeteries would be resolved to a high standard of wo.