NEARLY 20,000 headstones have been inspected in cemeteries across the region in the third phase of a lengthy memorial safety project.
Dumfries and Galloway Council has spent more than five years inspecting headstones in all 215 cemeteries across the region for which it is responsible.
Just over four per cent have been found to be a safety hazard, resulting in necessary remedial action.
A progress report on the memorial safety project will be presented to councillors at next week’s Nithsdale area committee.
It states: “To date 19,699 headstones have been inspected as part of phase three, with 10,891 still to inspect.
“Thereafter make safe works will commence – currently the failure rate is 4.14 percent, so approximately 1200 headstones will require repair.”
The council was forced to change its process when carrying out remedial works following an outcry from relatives and lair holders.
Older, unsafe stones were being “socketed” into the ground, however this method and the poor communication with relatives caused much controversy.
Headstones needing attention are now being affixed with a yellow marker advising relatives to contact the council.
The safety project follows an accident in Glasgow where a child was killed by a falling headstone in 2015.
The council is responsible for ensuring safety for communities and staff within cemeteries. The responsibility of maintaining a headstone sits with the family who own it.
