Ancient cemetery gates restored.

Byline: Michelle Ruane

Restored gates have been returned to an Eston cemetery as part of renovation work.

The first stage of Redcar and Cleveland Council's planned refurbishment of Eston's centuries-old cemetery wall was completed this week with the return of the main gates.

The two pairs of wrought iron gates at the West Lodge entrance and the main entrance on Normanby Road have been restored by Marske fabricator Kastle Engineering.

The company used a mobile crane to reinstall them, working alongside the council's highways partner McAlpine, who are resurfacing the entrances and strengthening the gates supporting pillars.

Cllr Bob Stanway, cabinet member for environmental improvement, said: "We are extremely pleased to have completed the first part of this project in restoring and rehanging the gates to provide better security for the cemetery."

At the time of the gates removal last November the council aimed to begin work, after consultation with concerned residents, to refurbish the 160-metre sandstone wall, built in 1860.

A detailed report into the options following the consultation has now been completed and the scheme to restore the wall will be discussed at the next meeting of the South Bank, Teesville and Grangetown Area Environment Committee on Monday.

Cllr George Dunning, leader of the council's Labour group, said Teesville ward councillors Sheelagh Clarke, Norman Pickthall and former councillor Sam Tombe had also worked hard "improving the security of Eston Cemetery and the gates refurbishment is one of these security measures".