Council apology over car park closure

A Shropshire town council today apologised for the closure of a Shropshire cemetery car park due to bad weather.

Residents had previously been told the car park would be open at weekends to help those who wished to visit the graves of loved ones at the cemetery in Ludlow.

This followed complaints to the Ludlow Town Council after plans to curb the car park opening hours were announced.

The council reconsidered its decision and said the car park would be open at weekends from 9am to 4pm in winter and 9am to 10pm in summer. There had been confusion with regard to opening hours after the council decided to allow 24 hour access to the cemetery for pedestrians. But heavy snow last weekend meant council workers were unable to get into Ludlow to open the car park at the cemetery in Henley Road.

Town clerk Veronica Calderbanksaid: "I have had complaints and I would like to apologise unreservedly for any inconvenience caused."

Ms Calderbank said she had now issued instructions that the gate should be kept open if staff thought they would be unable to make it in to open the gate.

But, she said, there were security concerns as the council has a depot at the site.

The council had previously decided against an electronic gate, as there were fears that this could be vandalised or could lock cars in and the visitors would be unable to drive home.