Work to begin on derelict graveyard thanks to community campaign

All Saints Church Graveyard, in Sedgley, has come under criticism from campaigners, where dozens of graves have become inaccessible due to overgrowth and tombs have been left exposed.

But bosses at Dudley Council now say they will look at improving the site, which houses more than 1,000 graves in total and 19 war graves.

Councillor Hilary Bills, cabinet member for environmental services, said: "The responsibility for the war graves rests with the War Graves Commission and we will be contacting them to highlight this issue.

"We took over responsibility for the maintenance of the closed graveyard site in 2007 but it is clear that the area had not been maintained for decades.

"Initial costs for clearing the site are likely to be in the tens of thousands of pounds, but we will visit the site to see what work can be done in the interim to protect and enhance this important area."

Residents had raised concerns of the graves, including those of fallen soldiers, with Dudley North MP Ian Austin and local campaigner Damian Corfield.

They visited the site last week to assess its condition and met with the graveyard warden.

The Archdeacon of Dudley, Nikki Groarke, said: "As soon as we became aware of the situation with the graveyard at All Saints, Sedgley, we began to work with all involved to resolve it.

"As this is a closed churchyard, the local authority has the responsibility for maintenance, but this kind of work also needs legal authorisation from the Church.

"I am working with the Diocesan Chancellor and Dudley Borough Council to ensure that the repair work is completed as quickly as possible, but that it is also done respectfully and to an appropriate standard.

"We are hopeful that the most urgent work will happen over the weekend to ensure the churchyard remains safe and accessible for all."

Damian Corfield, who is the standing Labour Party candidate for Sedgley in the next elections, said the council's response was a positive step.

"It is a tremendous way forward," he said.

"We know how treacherous and overgrown the graveyard is.

"It will be positive for the relatives who regularly visit and will be a great move to get youth offenders involved in the clear up."

MP Ian Austin proposed the site could be cleared by youth offenders as part of community service during his visit.