Liberal Democrats and Friends of Cemetery Park seek definitive statement on park's future

11.13.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 6th Nov 2007

Cllr Stephanie Eaton in the cemetery park

Tower Hamlets Liberal Democrats today called for the Council to provided a definitive statement that reopening the Cemetery Park for burials is not an option and there are no plans to remove existing graves. In light of continuing media attention (See "Inside out" BBC1 tonight) the Friends of the Park have issued a statement calling for confirmation that the park's current status as a wildlife haven and resting place for generations of local people will not be changed.

Leader of the Liberal Democrat group Cllr Stephanie Eaton said "The Friends of the Park have not been contacted directly by the Council, but have had to 'surmise what is occurring from the media'. This is a disgraceful way to treat a team of local residents who volunteer their time to manage the park and who care passionately about its future. We are calling for an immediate response from the Council to the Friends to address their concerns."

Tower Hamlets Liberal Democrats recognise and support the desire of the community for a local multi-faith cemetery. We are calling for the options of a site out of the Borough and the use of the Bow Common gas works site to be investigated, and for an immediate and definitive statement from the Council that the reopening of the Cemetery Park for burials is not appropriate.