‘What’s the difference?’ Councillors lift cycling ban at Shropshire cemetery
Cycling ban lifted at Shropshire cemetery after councillor questions rule
Councillors have lifted a ban on cycling at a Shropshire cemetery where cars are already allowed.
Newport Town Council’s cemetery policy sets out the rules applying to the cemetery on Audley Avenue, which has been in use since 1859.
The current rules allow vehicles to drive along the main driveway at no more than 10mph.
However, Councillor Tim Nelson (North ward) spotted that policy 13 stated: “Cycling will not be permitted in the cemetery.”
He questioned why cyclists were banned when people were allowed to drive into the site.
“If a member of the public wants to access the cemetery or just enjoy the contemplative space they are entitled to drive in and park at the car park,” he said.
“What’s the difference if someone wants to cycle in?”
Councillors agreed to remove the cycling ban during a full council meeting on Wednesday (September 9).
The meeting also heard about another unusual rule in the cemetery policy, which states that the “playing of radio and cassette players is strictly forbidden unless the town council has given prior permission”.
Councillor David Ellams (South ward) said he assumed this meant the council did not want sound from other electronic devices.
Town clerk Jo Reay replied: “We just don’t want boom boxes.”
Councillor Mark Wiggin (North ward) said he did not want the policy to simply refer to a ban on the unapproved playing of music “because we could have someone spouting off on a loud speaker”.
The clerk said this could be covered by stating that PA systems were not allowed.
Councillors agreed to make the changes to the policy immediately.
The council also approved the creation of a memorial masons registration scheme.
Under the new scheme, only memorial masons who pay an annual registration fee to the council will be allowed to install or maintain memorials in the cemetery.
The cemetery policy also allows the council to ban anyone who is disorderly, drunk, trespassing or uses “improper language”.
Anyone who breaks the cemetery rules and regulations can be banned from entering or working in the cemetery.
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