Roadside memorials will be binned after 30 days by Walsall Council

Dec 30 2009 by Matt Lloyd, Birmingham Mail

GRIEVING relatives could see their roadside tributes to loved ones binned after 30 days by Walsall Council.

The move comes after a decision by the council’s cabinet to curb sprawling tributes left after fatal road accidents or sudden deaths.

Flowers, cards and other personal mementos will have to be cleared by the families of victims within the time frame otherwise council officers will remove the items permanently.

Relatives will also be barred from marking the victim’s birthday or the anniversary of their death at the fatal spot with any memorials being immediately scrapped.

Council bosses say the new policy, which began in the run-up to Christmas, will prevent motorists being distracted by tributes and keep the borough’s streets clear of ageing tributes.

Relatives leaving tributes will be told by police family liaison officers of the 30-day limit but may not receive notice if a memorial has to be removed quickly because of safety reasons.

Coun Mike Flower, environment cabinet member, described the issue as “extremely sensitive and delicate” and said the council was trying to be fair to mourners and residents.

Coun Tom Ansell, cabinet member for transport, said: “We all realise that losing a loved one through a road accident is a tragedy. It is a time of grief, sadness and reflection.

“Flowers and tributes by the side of the road can be a natural response of the grieving process and we are doing all we can to accommodate.

“We must strike a balance with a sympathetic approach and excessive amounts of memorials and tributes which can be hazardous.”

Leaflets will also be handed to those wanting to lay tributes to warn them of the 30-day cut-off.

A bereavement councillor in Walsall, who asked not to be named, said: “These sort of things are important to mourners, to have a memorial removed could have a big impact on family members or friends if they don’t know it’s going to happen.”