Anger as cemetery lock removed

A security lock used to lock gates at Maesgwastad Cemetery overnight was forcibly removed, the county council has said.

Powys County Council started to lock the gates at the Welshpool’s cemetery because of unauthorised parking and its impact on funerals.

Council staff found that the security lock had been removed when they went to open up the gates earlier this month. The incident was reported to Dyfed Powys Police.

The council had placed signs on the cemetery gates warning visitors that they would be closed overnight.

Cllr John Powell, Cabinet Member for Cemeteries, said: “We’ve taken the decision to lock the gates overnight because of unauthorised parking at the cemetery, which has had an impact on funerals.

“Staff went to close the gates but found three vehicles park in the cemetery and were left with no option but to lock the gates.

“When staff returned the next morning, the security lock had been removed from the gates and the vehicles were no longer parked in the cemetery.

“It is extremely disappointing that the security lock has been forcibly removed and will have to be replaced.

“However, we want to remind visitors that the gates will be locked overnight because unauthorised parking has had an impact on funerals taking place at the cemetery.

“We have had incidents where motorhome-type vehicles have parked within the cemetery for several days without moving.

“Hearses have struggled to enter and exit the cemetery on days when a funeral is taking place because cars have parked along the edge and on the turning circle while mourners are having to park a considerable distance away due to nearby residents parking at the cemetery.

“All these incidents have meant that we have been left with no option but to lock the gates to Maesgwastad Cemetery overnight.”

In future the vehicle registration details locked within the cemetery will be noted and passed to the police in the event of the gates being forced open.