Calls for council to repair 'death trap' grave in Glossop Cemetery

A damaged grave in Glossop Cemetery has been described as a 'death trap' and a call has gone out to High Peak Borough Council to make urgent repairs.

A man - who is a frequent visitor to the town's main burial ground - said: "My blood runs cold when I think of what might happen." 

The tomb is more than a hundred years old and it is unlikely ever to be used for burials again.

A heavy stone slab at the side of what is described as a ‘chest grave’ because of its size, is lying on its side leaving the grave area exposed and it is this that is causing concern.

The man, who has asked not to be named, said: “I first saw it more than a month ago.

“It had been cordoned off (by the council) but it is an old tomb - the faded engraving on the top mentions burials a hundred years ago - and it has suffered a partial collapse.

“The cordon is just cones and tape which do not stop anyone getting close to. I called the council on November 13 as I wanted to speak to someone about it because I thought it was dangerous, but because I would not give my name they would not put me through.

"The tomb is unstable. There are bricks inside that hold part of it up, it’s old, the rest of it could collapse and fall on someone walking past.

“I visit the cemetery every two weeks and I was shocked to discover nothing had been done and it is still like that now.

“When I think of what could happen my blood runs cold, a child could run off from its parents and get into it and the slabs fall onto them.

“It’s a death trap and I think a high metal barrier should go around it until something is done.

“There are many old, large tombstones that are leaning over and look dangerous.”

The grave is close to a path near a building which used to be a chapel, in what is the oldest part of the cemetery.

A spokesperson for High Peak Borough Council said: “This matter was brought to our attention by the Council’s grounds maintenance service provider in early November. Cones and tape were installed immediately to cordon off the tomb structure whilst we investigated options to make the structure safe.

"This work is still ongoing and until the tomb is made safe it will continue to be closely monitored by the on site team including to ensure the cordon remains in place.

“In regards to the other leaning headstones, a programme of memorial safety tests are conducted at all cemeteries and closed churchyards which we are responsible for. Safety tests for Glossop cemetery are underway with the focus being on the older parts of the cemetery.

"Responsibility for unsafe memorials actually resides with the grave owner, therefore if our inspections highlight any issues we have to try and make contact with grave owners or their relatives first. The Council would ultimately act to make safe any memorial or headstone if the grave owner fails to address the issues reported to them.”