Cemeteries in King’s Lynn, Hunstanton, Marshland St James and Walpole St Andrew to be inspected by West Norfolk Council

A number of cemeteries throughout the borough are set to be tested to ensure they do not pose a safety hazard.

Throughout the next few weeks, a contractor for West Norfolk Council will be undertaking safety testing of memorials in five of the cemeteries it owns to ensure that they are “stable”.

Sites on Gayton Road and Hardwick Road in Lynn, Alexandra Road in Hunstanton, Police Road in Walpole St Andrew and Smeeth Road in Marshland St James will have their memorials inspected.

The Walpole St Andrew, Marshland and Hunstanton cemeteries will be inspected during the week commencing May 1.

Lynn’s Gayton Road is scheduled to be inspected from May 8 for a two-week period, while Hardwick Road will be looked over from May 22 for the same length of time.

Notices advising that the testing is taking place have been displayed at the cemeteries in advance of work being carried out.

Councillors say work will consist of a visual inspection followed by a hand test of each memorial’s stability. If an immediate safety risk is identified, the memorial be laid down on the grave space.

If this occurs, or if it is identified as a potential risk that requires remedial action, then the grave owner will be contacted by the borough council and asked to arrange for a stonemason to carry out the repairs required to ensure it is safe.

Closed churchyards maintained by the borough council are set to be inspected later this year.

Further information about the testing or results of previous tests can be obtained from Mintlyn Crematorium at mintlyn@west-norfolk.gov.uk or 01553 630533.