Southampton cemetery: Son hits out after mother's grave damaged

Controversial plans to install bollards at a St Mary Extra Cemetery, on Portsmouth Road, were scrapped last month after public outcry.

But Darren Lillywhite, 51, from Southampton, has now said the bollards should be installed as his mother's grave is repeatedly damaged.

His mother Ann Lillywhite died aged 67 two years ago.

READ MORE: St Mary Extra Cemetery bollards plan scrapped after backlash

Southampton City Council carried out a consultation on the proposals - after initially not doing so - and decided against putting in the bollards.

Carpet fitter Darren said: “It's very upsetting that people drive straight over the corner of my mother's plot, cause damages and don’t even have the decency to make it look like they have tried to sort it out.

“It is disrespectful to my family and my mother’s grave. Having bollards at the cemetery would stop people cutting the corner and driving over mum’s plot.”

The plans to introduce bollards at St Mary Extra were scrapped after residents argued that without the road, many disabled visitors would not be able to see their loved ones buried at the cemetery.

Dad-of-four Darren said his mother had been buried at a St Mary Extra Cemetery for two years and that the damage caused had weighed heavy on the family, particularly Darren’s father.

The damaged caused to the small fence put up by the family to deter drivers (Image: Ross Marshall)He added: “The loss of my mother was very difficult for my father and now he is subject to people driving over her grave.”

“I understand that... many were not in favour of the bollards, but I would like my voice to be heard all the same.

“This has now happened six times. We have even put up small posts around the plot to stop people driving over it – even that has been destroyed by a driver.

“I do understand that the road and junction is small but that is not a good enough excuse for the distress this has caused myself and my family.”

Last month the council urged people to be careful. Heather White, Service Manager for Bereavement, said: "We would like to remind the public that any person who damages, defaces or destroys any property or causes any nuisance within the cemeteries will be liable to prosecution.”