Work on Canvey's long-awaited cemetery could start within six days.

Nigel Thomas, Castle Point Council's director of technical services, revealed the plans in the agenda for the central services overview and scrutiny committee.

He said: "I have recently been advised by Willows Funeral Directors that they will be in a position to commence works on developing the site after Easter."

Problems have dogged proposals to set up the new burial ground, off Northwick Road, ever since the plans were mooted three years ago.

Now council members and officers are expressing delight that contractors could be moving on to the site soon.

Also at Monday's meeting, members discussed councillors' determination that major schemes should be run by special project managers responsible for getting programmes like the cemetery under way.

The council has appointed an officer responsible for co-ordinating the council's side of running the new burial ground.

Published Wednesday, April 16, 2003

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