Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many buried bodies have been moved in each of the last five years from their lawful place of burial to facilitate development of highway work; and what processes highways contractors must follow to move bodies for that purpose.

Highways England who is responsible for the strategic road network do not hold the information centrally of how many buried bodes have been removed in the last five years from their lawful place of burial to facilitate the development of highway work and collating it would incur disproportionate cost. For local roads, the Department for Transport does not hold any records as this is a matter for each local highway authority.

When dealing with human remains, highway contractors are required to comply with their legal obligations, including provisions through the 1857 Burial Act (as amended) and relevant requirements under ecclesiastical law.

Where any remains are located in consecrated ground, the contractor must ensure that permissions to undertake the works are granted under ecclesiastical law through either a Faculty or a Pastoral Scheme.

For non-consecrated ground, the contractor must have a licence issued through the Ministry of Justice. Specific requirements or directions issued under any such permission must be adhered to by the contractor, including any measures required by the local Environmental Health Officer or Public Health England for the protection of site workers or the public.　 Prior consultation with the relevant authorities (e.g. church/Diocese, Ministry of Justice) is required prior to application for any permission, including details on the proposed extent and exhumation methodology; treatment of remains and artefacts; and planned reburial of remains.