Plans to provide better parking facilities for people paying their respects at South Shields Crematorium are gathering pace.
Work has started to create more than 30 additional new spaces, including extra disabled parking, on the crematorium site in John Reid Road.
The scheme aims to make it easier for mourners and visitors to park within the crematorium grounds while helping to alleviate on-road parking problems and parking in nearby residential streets, particularly during larger funeral services.
Councillor Tracey Dixon, Lead Member for Area Management and Community Safety at South Tyneside Council, said: “We are delighted to see work underway on providing more parking within the crematorium grounds.
“The extra parking will not only help us to provide better parking facilities for bereaved families and friends visiting the crematorium but also reduce the impact of parking on the local area.”
The crematorium grounds currently cater for 17 vehicles in the formal car park, including the provision of two disabled bays. The improvements will see the amount of parking spaces increased up to around 50. The work is expected to be completed in the summer.
The parking improvements are the latest in a series of upgrades to the crematorium building and grounds over the past year.
Developments have already included a new roofing system to replace the previous one which was more than 50 years old and in need of repair, as well as the installation of around 30 solar panels to help save energy and running costs at the building.
Work to create a large steel and glass canopy over the main door was recently completed to provide better shelter for bereaved families gathering at the entrance ahead of funeral services.
The Council is also upgrading the Crematorium’s audio system to improve sound quality during services. A TV will be installed in the entrance vestibule so that funeral services can be screened to visitors outside the main chapel. The improvements will be particularly useful for funerals when there are a large number of guests in attendance.
Further developments planned over the next year include making alterations to the exit corridor and increasing the size of the lobby area where families and friends are greeted as they leave the building.
Councillor Dixon said: “We have already carried out a number of internal changes to the Crematorium to create a more welcoming and pleasant setting for those attending services, with more improvements planned throughout the year.
“South Shields Crematorium provides an essential public service for local families at what can be an extremely difficult and distressing time. We are investing in this building to ensure bereaved residents and visitors continue to receive a high quality service and welcoming place where they can reflect and pay their respects to loved ones.”
For further information about South Shields Crematorium, contact the Council’s Bereavement Services on (0191) 427 3190.