THE closure of the Skipton Crematorium and long delays en route to the alternative site at Oakworth distressed a Threshfield woman.

Gillian Longstaff explained that a church service for her late grandmother had been arranged at Grassington followed by cremation at Skipton but because all three of the cremators had been closed, the family had to make alternative arrangements to travel to Oakworth crematorium.

"Long delays caused by road works on the Skipton to Keighley bypass route meant that a journey that should have taken an hour lasted well over two hours and we were three-quarters-of-an-hour late in getting to the get-together afterwards. This resulted in the family not having the time to thank those who attended the church service."

She criticised the decision to close down both cremators at the same time instead of just one for renovation leaving the other operational.

Michael Smith, crematorium superintendent said: "I have written to Miss Longstaff and apologised for the distress she and her family has suffered.

"However, the closure of the cremators is something which has been planned for a few years and was not an overnight decision. In fact the same work has been undertaken at Oakworth crematorium which only re-opened in December after four months' closure and the problem is being experienced all over the country and not just at Skipton," he added.

"As the chimney flues are inter-linked it was impossible to close down one cremator and still use another. Also the work was started at the quietest time of the year which is April, May and June in an attempt to cause the least disruption.

"I am very sorry for the upset this has caused but it was totally unavoidable. Obviously the road works will have caused a lot of distress to the funeral cortege but this again something which could not have been foreseen.

Skipton Crematorium was due to reopen this week.

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