The council is on the search for space to lay the dead to rest due to an ‘acute’ shortage of burial space in Reading.

Reading Borough Council officers have been undertaking work to search for more burial space which has involved a consideration of options.

One of these options would be to maximise space at Henley Road Cemetery in Caversham, which could be undertaken by returning land for allotments on the site for use as a burial ground.

But in order for that option to be explored, the council has to undertake ground testing to determine whether the use of the land is suitable.

Work will take place over the coming weeks, which involves creating six to eight small boreholes which will be regularly inspected to establish groundwater levels.

If levels are too high, the land will be determined unsuitable.

Together with its contractor, the council will ensure none of the holes are located on any active allotment plot.

READ MORE: Reading to run out of burial space within six years

The work is expected to begin this month and could take up to a year to complete.

The council has spoken to Henley Road allotment representatives and wrote to all allotment holders and the gardeners association who occupy two trading sheds on the site.

Liz Terry (Labour, Coley), lead councillor for corporate services and resources said: “The acute shortage of burial space in Reading is mirrored in many other towns. While there is no statutory provision for local councils to provide burials in their borough, it is a service we feel strongly should continue to be offered to residents in Reading, which means we are progressing with work to narrow down possible options.

“One of those options is to return the Council land at Henley Road allotment to burial ground, as it was originally intended to be.

“This requires some detailed ground investigations, the results of which will allow the Council to include it as an option for future consideration, or to rule it out.

“We thank all allotment holders for their patience while these exploratory works take place, which should not affect the day-to-day use of plots on the site.

“Council officers have a good working relationship with allotment representatives, and we are committed to keeping them informed at every step of the process.

“I would also emphasise that we are still at an early stage of narrowing down options, which is what the exploratory groundworks are about.”

READ MORE: Reading Council unveils plans to address burial space shortage

While the council is hoping to maximise space at the Henley Road Cemetery it has stated that would only extend burial provision for three years and is therefore not a long-term solution.

Therefore, the council is exploring options for more space both inside and outside of Reading on land governed by other councils.

There is a cemetery at St Peters Church and Mays Lane Cemetery, which are both in Earley.

Graveyards at churches in Reading Borough are managed by the council.