Cranes move into sealed off cemetery

Surveys showed many headstones were unstable

Cranes are being brought into a Derby cemetery which has been closed for almost six months amid safety fears.

They will be used to help make dozens of the largest memorials safe.

In August safety inspectors found many of the 3,000 headstones in the Uttoxeter Road cemetery were unstable.

Relatives of some of the thousands of people buried in the cemetery have been able to visit graves only by appointment since it was sealed off.

Safety work

Five hundred and fifty smaller headstones have been laid flat to stop them falling on visitors.

Work had been held up after surveys showed that spaces beneath the earth meant the heavy cranes could not operate on the site.

Now foam is to be pumped into the ground beneath the graveyard as part of the continuing safety work.

The foam will fill the gaps so the machinery can be used.

It is still not known when the cemetery will reopen.