Major improvements are set to be delivered in Renfrewshire’s cemeteries as part of a £1million investment.
Drainage systems, roads and pathways will be the main focus to ensure that cemeteries are a suitable setting for local communities dealing with the loss of a loved one.
There are nine cemeteries in Renfrewshire, consisting of more than 56,000 lairs, and the area undertakes on average 548 new burials every year.
As the largest and most frequently visited, £500,000 will be invested in Hawkhead Cemetery as part of significant work to improve the drainage and roads infrastructure to ensure it can continue to support almost half of Renfrewshire’s burials each year.
Bishopton and Inchinnan will also significantly benefit from the planned works, with each cemetery being allocated £75,000 as part of the programme for infrastructure improvements.
A further £350,000 will be invested in Renfrewshire remaining cemeteries including Arkleston, Broomward, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch.
Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “We recognise the need to provide an appropriate setting for those who have lost a loved one to not only lay them to rest, but also for them to return to visit.
“This investment will ensure that our cemeteries will see a significant improvement which will benefit our local communities and provide a space befitting of the circumstance.
“It is further evidence of our ambitions to support our communities and provide them with high quality facilities across Renfrewshire.”
The Council spends almost £9million on StreetScene activities across Renfrewshire which includes street cleaning, grass cutting and cemetery maintenance and the £1million investment will supplement this activity to ensure cemeteries are able to continue to support communities appropriately.
The programme is set to commence in Autumn later this year.
For further information, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/