Diss cemetery gate closure rankles

A woman has been left aghast by a decision that means blue badge holders have to make an appointment to visit a loved one at Diss cemetery.

Diss Town Council has come under fire for locking the main gates to the cemetery in Heywood Road due to damage caused to the roadways beyond the entrance.

It means that blue badge holders now have to call the authority prior to visiting the cemetery, so that a member of staff can be on hand to unlock the gates.

Sixty-five-year-old Jacqueline Talbot, who is a blue badge holder, said: “I visit my son’s grave at least once a week and having to ring for an appointment is absurd.

“I was under the impression that churchyards and cemeteries are always open and for however long one wishes to visit.

“The bereaved have enough to cope with without any more bureaucratic red tape. I am at a loss as to understand why they wish to make it so difficult.”

With the council requiring someone to be on hand to open and close the gates before and after each visit, Mrs Talbot, of Uplands Way in Diss, fears some mourners may feel rushed when paying their respects.

In response, town council clerk Sarah Richards said: “We are trialling vehicular access at weekends only as we know this is a popular time for visitors, and by appointment only for blue badge holders on weekdays during office hours.

“Depending on the demand for appointments, we will review the situation in the future.

“There will be absolutely no requirement for visitors to cut short their visits and they will continue to have as long as they need to remember their loved ones,” she added.

The notices at the cemetery were installed to provide early notice of some changes to access prior to the spring when works are scheduled to upgrade the roadways and roundabout in the cemetery to improve access for users and make it more 'aesthetically' pleasing.