COUNCIL chiefs have accepted a £2,134,080 tender to supply two new heavy duty cremators at Warrington’s Walton Lea Crematorium.
They will be able to more than cope with the number of cremations currently taking place – and result in the council being able to offer a service to other authorities.
Coun Alan Litton, executive member for environment services, told the executive board: “I know it is not a very nice subject to talk about, but it is a fact that we will be in a position to offer a service to other authorities.”
Five companies put in bids for the contract and the contract includes the supply of all equipment, adaptations to the building and a 10-year maintenance contract and supply of reagents and disposal of mercury.
The tender award is based on the proposal being funded through private sector investment which is paid back on a per cremation basis, with an increased charge passed on to the customer.
Originally it was thought the increased cost of a cremation would be about £100, but this did not reflect the reduction in overall energy usage or educed maintenance costs and it is now thought the increase will be smaller.
If the work was not carried out, the council would be unable to meet mercury abatement requirements and would no longer be able to offer a cremation service within the borough.
Walton Lea will have improved visitor and staff areas as a result of the project and there will be a safe viewing area meeting the needs of faiths required to view the charging process of the cremators.
The new equipment will also ensure the council meets requirements of legislation soon to be introduced in connection with flue gas emissions.
Work installing the new cremators and other equipment could take up to a year to complete, but will be phased to ensure the continued operation of the crematorium with a minimum of disruption.
8 Comments
“I know it is not a very nice subject to talk about, but it is a fact that we will be in a position to offer a service to other authorities.”
Ding Ding Bring out your dead Ding Ding
wonder if they know something?
No, just upgrading an important facility.
I appreciate that the number of obese people is growing but an heavy duty cremator seems a touch over the top.
Looks like they have money to burn!
But there are some right whoppers in Warrington, Eagle, surprised they didn’t go for an extra heavy duty version.
I went to a funeral service in Halton the other day and we went to Walton Crem for the burn afterwards so they already sell the services of the crem to other authoritys
Walton Crematorium already operates like a conveyor belt service. As one group of mourners go in another group is queing outside. At some I have been to the service appeared to have been rushed through. Increasing the number of funerals on this site will only make matters worse. The facility is barely adequate for Warrington without offering a service for other authorities. Developing our parks for increased profit is bad enough, turning the Crem into a cash cow is thoroughly distasteful!
Just how low will this council stoop?
completely agree, I had a funeral there once…I wont do that again!