Weekday vehicle access to cemeteries to resume
Posted on Tuesday 1st March 2022
From tomorrow (2 March), vehicles will be allowed into St Woolos and Christchurch cemeteries on weekdays following the introduction of new safety measures.
A health and safety assessment identified potential issues for people visiting the cemeteries at the same time as heavy plant was being used to prepare for burials.
Steps have now been taken to minimise those risks to mourners and open the gates from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Councillor Jane Mudd, Leader of Newport City Council, said: “Safety for all those using the cemeteries was always our priority. Access for pedestrians and funeral corteges has been available throughout the week but vehicles were restricted to weekends, bank holidays and religious festivals.
“However, we always recognised that not allowing vehicles to drive into the cemeteries on weekdays caused difficulties for some visitors even though staff did try to accommodate those with mobility issues whenever possible.
“We have been committed to finding a solution and we’ve included additional spending in the budget to support improvements to the cemeteries.
“Staff have worked diligently to find solutions that mean that we can now allow vehicles to access the cemeteries on weekdays as well as on weekends. This will coincide with the start of Lent, an important religious festival.
“A relaxation of the restrictions over the Christmas and New Year period sadly led to some incidents that caused damage and could have resulted in serious injuries. We have also seen other examples of a minority of people driving and parking without regard for others or the sensitive nature of their surroundings.
“We would urge all those who do drive within our cemeteries to drive carefully and park respectfully. There have been times when vehicles have parked on graves, causing damage to grassed areas. This can be very distressing for other people when loved ones’ plots are treated so thoughtlessly.
St Woolos Cemetery dates to the early Victorian period and was the first municipal cemetery in England and Wales. Like Christchurch Cemetery, it will now be open between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday as well as on weekends and bank holidays.