Grave concerns

AN overgrown grave at Greenacres Cemetery.

AN upsetting crawl by a grieving woman through overgrown bushes to reach a family grave has led to a new campaign to clean up neglected Greenacres cemetery.

The woman complained to former Liberal Democrat councillors Linda Dawson and Stephen Barrow, who have launched the drive to improve the cemetery, whose gatehouse has suffered serious neglect and where hedges have grown so wild they obscure several rows of graves.

Mr Barrow said: “The hedges are so overgrown you get the impression there are no gravestones there.

While Mr Barrow recognises that the current Labour council faces budget pressures, he believes community fundamentals are being overlooked for projects more likely to create a “big bang”.

The former councillors complained to Oldham Council chief executive Carolyn Wilkins, who passed their concerns on to officers.

A council spokesman said: “The issues are being looked into. Steps will be taken to ensure appropriate maintenance in the coming weeks to improve access to the graves.”