Shropshire's Emstrey Crematorium could be sold off

One of Shropshire's biggest crematoriums could be sold off in a multi-million pound deal - because Shirehall chiefs are facing a bill of £1.5 million to replace the burners.

Shropshire Council bosses are carrying out a review of Shrewsbury's Emstrey Crematorium, along with its chapel and gardens of remembrance, as they try to find ways of saving £60 million over the next three years due to government cuts.

The bill of up to £1.5 million is to replace ageing equipment at the crematorium in order to cut mercury emissions caused by dental fillings.

The law requires all crematoriums to be fitted with equipment to reduce emissions by 50 per cent by the end of 2012.

Andy Goldsmith, assistant director of public protection at the council, today said the authority was drawing up a new report which would be presented to councillors.

He said that although the crematorium currently makes a surplus, by offloading it the council would avoid having to shell out a huge sum to replace the cremators.

Mr Goldsmith said: "The cremators are reaching the end of their operational life and we need to replace them within the next couple of years.

"On the back of that we want to put new abatement technology to remove mercury emissions and the cost of doing that is about £1.5m.

"Before we embark on that project and spend the money we want to assess what other options there are to deliver the service and that includes either selling the crematorium or having a private sector company to run the bereavement service on our behalf."

Council officials were due to meet with representatives from funeral directors in the area to discuss the ideas with them.

Mr Goldsmith stressed that no decisions had yet been made about the future of the site.

Mercury, which accumulates in air and water, can damage the brain, kidneys, nervous system and affect unborn children.

Crematoriums are estimated to be responsible for up to 16 per cent of all UK emissions of mercury.

By Russell Roberts