Disgruntled resident blames Wolverhampton Council for wobbly fence
A disgruntled resident claims Wolverhampton Council has made his fence unstable after cutting down a hedgerow by a cemetery.
The council's environmental department cut down the hedgerow, at Bilston Cemetery, after complaints from nearby residents over its appearance.
But Ian Edwards, 59, whose property backs onto the burial ground, claims this maintenance work has left his back garden fence dangerously loose.
He claims the council completely cut down the hedgerow - instead of trimming it as usual - in a bid to save money.
Alongside this, Mr Edwards claims leaves from the hedgerow were left on graves for a few days, causing upset to mourners.
He told the Express & Star: "As it stands our fence is in a precarious situation. We had to put a staff up to keep it from falling.
"It is now tied together with bits of string so it is on the verge of collapse. It is dangerous. What if it falls down and breaks a grave or headstone.
"The fence was kept stable by the hedgerow which was growing behind. It stood about 8ft tall and spanned the length of seven houses.
"People came down to the cemetery a few weeks ago. They looked distraught [by the leaves on the graves] and you could say they were in tears."
The council cleared the leaves several days later, he said.
He said a few weeks before work started, he spoke with a surveyor from the council who was 'eyeing up' his fence from the graveyard. He claims the surveyor told him the council would be in touch before any work would start, but heard nothing.
The council has been approached for comment.
