A temporary mortuary facility is being constructed in Leyland in response to the current rise in Covid-19 cases.

The facility is being described as a “contingency measure” to ensure Lancashire is prepared to cope with a significant increase in deaths over the winter.

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It will have the capacity to house up to 210 deceased until they can be laid to rest, and will be built on the car park of the Farington Environmental Education Centre at the Lancashire Enterprise Business Park.

Lancashire County Council is leading on the construction of the facility, which is due to be built in the coming week.

It’s the second time a temporary mortuary has been built in response to Covid-19. The first, which fortunately never had to be used, was built and later decommissioned at BAE Systems during the first wave of the pandemic.

The new facility will be made up of three mobile buildings of a type most commonly used to add capacity at hospitals.

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County Councillor Geoff Driver CBE, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “I hope this facility will never need to be used and that we’ll be able to cope without it as we did during the first wave of the pandemic.

“However, we can’t predict what will happen over the winter and it’s vital that we’re prepared in order to ensure the deceased are treated decently and with respect.

“We have taken the Government up on the offer of having this facility on standby and, by siting it at the Environmental Education Centre, we can ensure it is secure and available for as long as we might need it at little cost. 

“The best way to reduce the numbers of deaths in Lancashire is for everyone to protect their community, the NHS and to follow the guidance during lockdown.”

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The council is also working with funeral directors across Lancashire to explain how the facility will work if it is needed.

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