Jetty plan to allow ashes scattering in river

Religious leaders have applied to build a jetty so Hindu and Sikh mourners can scatter the ashes of loved ones in the River Mersey.

They hope to build a three-storey concrete structure underneath the M60 motorway bridge in Northenden, Manchester, to allow access to the river.

It is traditional in both religions for bodies to be cremated and their ashes scattered into flowing water.

A planning application has been lodged by the Gita Bhawan Hindu Temple with Manchester City Council, with local residents asked for their views before 24 July.

Temple officials estimate that up to 500 families in Greater Manchester currently "have to travel to sea shores or other places to scatter ashes in undesignated places".

The planning application states that "currently, there is no such facility available in whole of Greater Manchester".

It added that the river area "has the sanctity and dignity to perform this last rite safely and peacefully" and that the law "permits scattering of ashes in inland rivers".

The river has recently experienced high levels after flooding but the planning applicants have said the jetty has been designed "to allow the flow of water through and around it".

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