READING Borough Council is seeking new sites as the town is set to face serious shortages of burial sites in the next four years.
Efforts are ongoing to identify new burial spaces as council estimates predict that the borough is set to run out of space completely by 2029.
The council is exploring a number of options, including proposals to maximise existing spaces and the creation of new sites within or close to Reading, and says it is considering the possibility of working with neighbouring authorities.
Proposals include the short-term solution of extending provisions at the Henley Road Cemetery, which would include setting aside verges and existing open spaces.
It estimates that this would provide around three years’ worth of burials at current rates, and would not provide a suitable, long-term solution.
It is also considering returning the alotments on Henley Road to their original intended use as a cemetery, though a number of assessments of the site’s suitability would need to be carried out.
These include ground testing and groundwater assessments, which are now set to take place from September, and could last for up to a year.
Boreholes in the ground will be regularly inspected to establish the level of groundwater, as burial sites can lead to groundwater contamination, in turn causing serious issues for resident health and the environment.
Plot holders were contacted last week along with the Gardeners’ Association, who occupy two trading sheds on the site.
Liz Terry, the Council’s Lead Councillor for Corporate Services and Resources, said:
“The acute shortage of burial space in Reading is mirrored in many other towns. While there is no statutory provision for local councils to provide burials in their borough, it is a service we feel strongly should continue to be offered to residents in Reading, which means we are progressing with work to narrow down possible options.
“One of those options is to return the Council land at Henley Road allotment to burial ground, as it was originally intended to be.
“This requires some detailed ground investigations, the results of which will allow the Council to include it as an option for future consideration, or to rule it out.”
She continues: “We thank all allotment holders for their patience while these exploratory works take place, which should not affect the day-to-day use of plots on the site. Council officers have a good working relationship with allotment representatives, and we are committed to keeping them informed at every step of the process.
“I would also emphasise that we are still at an early stage of narrowing down options, which is what the exploratory groundworks are about.”
