Locksbrook Cemetery Gates Closed to Vehicles Following Parking Misuse

The proprietors of a cemetery have secured its gates to prevent its use as a commuter car park, following incidents of damage to memorials. Specifically, the front gates of Bath’s Locksbrook Cemetery are now inaccessible to all vehicles, permitting entry only to pedestrians. This measure was implemented subsequent to instances where tombstones were toppled and a “significant number” of vehicles were observed parked at the cemetery throughout the day. Visitor Geoffrey Fenton stated, “Parking has been totally unacceptable, people that have mobility issues have not been able to access their plots due to 15 cars that are here all day to avoid city centre charges.” Bath and North East Somerset Council, the proprietor of the cemetery, reported that in recent months there has been a “significant number of vehicles parked for several hours, and many for the whole day, whose drivers do not appear to be visiting the cemetery”. The council further stated, “Cemetery visitors can continue to use the allocated parking spaces in front of the main gate and pedestrian access has been maintained.” However, Mr. Fenton expressed concern that the revised parking regulations have negatively affected some bereaved relatives, who are now unable to reach the burial plots of their loved ones. He elaborated, “The problem is there will be relatives of deceased people that are unable to get close to their plots because of mobility issues and its not fair on people with mobility issues who want to pay their respects.” Five permanent parking spaces remain available just outside the cemetery gate.