Nearly 1,800 people have signed an online petition outlining their opposition to plans to drive a road through the grounds of Perth Crematorium.
As part of a masterplan to ease congestion on the city’s western edge, the council proposals are for a road linking Crieff Road with Inveralmond via a bridge over the bypass that would involve land at the crematorium.
More than four acres of land around McDiarmid Park are also the subject of a potential compulsory purchase order for the scheme.
Fears have been raised by the signatories to Save Perth Crematorium of the impact the proposed new road would have, as it takes in part of the crematorium’s Winter Garden and Bluebell Garden.
While these are not official parts of the Garden of Remembrance, many people have scattered the ashes of loved ones in this area and the prospect of a road is causing considerable distress.
Among the comments left on the petition as reasons for signing are: “It’s far too distressing for those whose family or friends have had their ashes scattered here” and “my father’s memorial stone is in the Bluebell Garden and I think it is outrageous that the council is considering a proposal of this nature”.
Another commented: “This is both a cold-hearted measure and completely ludicrous. The ashes of my relatives are in this area. Where are we going to go to pay our respects?”
One woman claimed it would be “almost sacrilegious to send in the bulldozers” and asked the council to “think very carefully before even considering such a heartless proposal.”
A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said: “There are no plans to relocate the crematorium.
“The part of the land affected by the plan is not a formal part of the Garden of Remembrance.
“Any work which impacts on memorials within the Garden of Remembrance would only be undertaken in consultation with those who are directly affected, as has been the case with previous changes.”
Letters of objection to the council should be sent to Ian Innes, head of legal services, 2 High Street, Perth, PH1 5PH, before next Friday.