Claim weedkiller is damaging headstones

COUNCILLOR SAYS IT'S MAKING THEM TILT AND LEAVING GRASS SCORCHED

- By STUART ARNOLD Local democracy reporter [e-mail]

A COUNCILLOR claims council weedkiller is to blame for headstone damage in a Redcar cemetery - but the local authority says its been in use for 20 years.

Cllr Justin Thompson believes weedkiller used by Redcar and Cleveland Council, to avoid grass cutting and therefore saving cash, is causing graves in Skelton Cemetery to tilt.

He claims this is due to the chemical leaving grass around headstones “scorched” and impacting the soil structure, which then erodes and weakens the headstones' foundations.

Cllr Thompson said he'd identified the issue in Skelton Cemetery but, after posting about his concerns on Facebook, residents highlighted a similar picture at several other council-managed cemeteries, including Brotton, Loftus, Redcar and Saltburn.

Cllr Adam Brook, the cabinet member for neighbourhoods, however, said the council acknowledged Cllr Thompson's concerns and would look to make improvements at Skelton Cemetery, but added that it was “unlikely” that weedkiller alone would cause headstone tipping.