A BRADFORD resident is “absolutely appalled” with how her local cemetery is being maintained and wants more intervention from the Council.
Trudy Maclean claims that Bowling Cemetery has been “neglected” with overgrown grass, pot holes, fly-tipping and some cars even driving over graves whilst using the road between the two entrances as a rat run.
The maintenance at the cemetery, off Rooley Lane, has been subject of frustration from residents and councillors over the years.
Bowling and Barkerend Ward Cllr Rizwana Jamil is trying to arrange a clean-up involving people from the local community.
She explains how a gate at one of the entrances was agreed with the Council to be closed throughout the day. Although this did not totally stop all of the problems.
Cllr Jamil said: “I have been working with the Council on this cemetery for the last four years or so.
“People used to use it as a bit of a rat run to avoid the traffic on Rooley Lane. After a lot of public meetings, the Council agreed to close one of the gates permanently, only to open for funerals.
“That made things better but it didn’t prevent all of the problems because there is still some fly tipping and people going in there with cars.
“I have become aware that there is urgent maintenance work that needs to be done in the cemetery.
“I have had a meeting with residents and we are going to try arrange a community clean up to stop these issues and make it nice for people."
One of those residents who would be involved in the clean-up is long-time resident Trudy.
“Bowling cemetery is being neglected,” she said.
“I used to provide a lock myself to use on the gates at the Burras Road end.
“It is supposed to be a peaceful place but people are still using the cemetery as a rat run, driving over people’s graves.
“I would be fuming if it was a relative of mine. It is disrespectful for the people that go.
“Bradford Council are not doing enough. It is time they spent some money on it.”
A spokesperson from Bradford Council added: “We are responsible for cutting the grass in all 24 of our cemeteries and this is done ten times a year between March and October. "However, graves that have border stones come under the exclusive rights of the burial owner, which means they have responsibility for their maintenance."
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