The tree removal works are starting on 4 November 2024. They will take place Monday - Friday, from 8am – 4pm to keep noise disruption to a minimum. There may be people on site before and after these times but no loud machinery will be used.

Before we can add more burial plots to the cemetery, we need to make space by removing trees along the Rushton Avenue boundary. The actual removal will take around one to two weeks depending on the weather and burials taking place at the cemetery. After the tree works are finished, the site will be tidied and the machinery will be taken away.

This is an operational cemetery close to residential streets so access and works will be planned around burials with consideration to local residents and adherence to agreed operating hours. Machinery including an excavator with tree shear attachment and tree chipper will be used on site as part of this work. Noise will be kept to a minimum for example, the brash will only be chipped when there is sufficient material.

We are removing enough trees to create an area of 100sqm to create around 200 new burial plots. Throughout the works we will log how many trees have to come out to ensure they are replaced through our tree planting initiative.

Yes, the cemetery will be open as usual. Safety signs and precautions will be in place to ensure the safety of visitors, staff and the contractor whilst the works are carried out.

The aim is to leave a number of trees close to the boundary with Rushton Avenue to provide residents with screening from the cemetery. As the works are taking place in November when the trees are bare, it will look more open to begin with.

As part of our drive to make Watford cleaner, greener and healthier, the council is committed to planting more trees. Over the last two years we’ve helped to plant an incredible 20,000 new trees across the borough. Please be assured that any trees removed in the cemetery will be replaced through our tree planting initiative.

The works are taking place in November, when nesting season is over, so this will not harm bird nests. An ecological survey will be carried out prior to works to ensure no harm comes to any wildlife.

If you have any questions or would like to report any issues during the works, please email parks@watford.gov.uk (mailto:parks@watford.gov.uk)or call 01923 226400.

The area where we are adding new burial plots is well within the cemetery boundary. Burials in the new plots will follow the same conditions for all other burials in the cemetery, including burial times, which are 9am-3pm.

There is a national shortage of burial spaces and Watford is also managing this issue. North Watford Cemetery is currently the only facility within the borough where new graves can be arranged and by adding 200 new burial plots, we are enabling residents to continue using the cemetery for longer.