Graves damaged by drivers using cemetery as shortcut

Drivers have damaged graves when using a closed cemetery road as a shortcut to avoid traffic in neighbouring roads.

The route through Avon View Cemetery in east Bristol is only supposed to be used by hearses, maintenance vehicles or visitors with limited mobility.

But drivers have been using the route regularly to avoid heavy traffic and bypass roadblocks within the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood scheme.

The cemetery installed bollards to block the road, but people have since driven directly over graves to evade the closure.

"They [the bollards] have only been up for two days and people decided to drive in and drive over people's graves," said Ian Calway, from Friends of Avon View Cemetery.

"Has anyone got any morals any more or any respect? This is all to save 10 minutes. That's it."

Mr Calway told BBC Radio Bristol the cemetery has been seen by many as a convenient route from Blackswarth Road to Beaufort Road.

He added: "We'd been getting complaints from various members of the public about cars using the cemetery as a shortcut.

"It's not just the volume [of cars], it's the speed."

Mr Calway said people have been driving along the 5mph (8km/h) road at "up to 35mph (56km/h)".

Wooden bollards were initially installed to stop people using the road, but Mr Calway said they were removed by drivers and thrown into nearby hedges.

Funding via the liveable neighbourhood scheme has since enabled the installation of metal bollards.

But Mr Calway said some vehicles have been using the cemetery's narrow footpaths, where even hearses are not permitted.

"This place is visited by the elderly and mothers with small children. It's just crazy," he said.

Barney Harris, who lives nearby, said: "One of the [damaged] graves was from 2019 - it's not even an old grave, it's absolutely appalling.

"I can't comprehend how people would justify doing this. It's a disgrace."

Councillor Stephen Williams, chairman of the public health and communities committee at Bristol City Council, said the council would pass on all available evidence to the police.

"We are saddened to see the damage caused by careless driving through a space that people should respect as a sanctuary for those wanting to remember loved ones and take time for reflection," he said.

Williams added that temporary structures had been installed to stop cars driving through.

"Within the next two weeks permanent planters will be installed at various locations to stop any unauthorised vehicles attempting to pass around the bollards that are already in place and ensure vehicles cannot leave the driveways."

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