Residents react to Wimborne Road cemetery gate closures

Visitors to the Wimborne Road cemetery have argued the closure of two side gates has “severely restricted” their access and has made it difficult to visit loved ones.

The gates were closed earlier this month by BCP Council.

A note on the gate said: “Due to persistent anti-social behaviour problems and verbal and physical abuse to our staff within the cemetery, we have closed both the Iddesleigh and Wimborne Road pedestrian entrances.”

Although the main gate at Cemetery Junction remains open, it has been argued that this access point is too far away for many residents, particularly the elderly who are unable to travel the further distance.

Yvonne Kay regularly visits Wimborne Road cemetery with family to visit her father's grave. Her mother lives close to the site and has relied on access through one of the side gates.

She said: “My mum was really happy that he was buried near, and in the beginning, she was going to the grave every day.

Read more: Gates closed at Wimborne Road Cemetery due to anti-social behaviour

“She would go through the side gate, but she can’t get in that side now.

“The front gate is quite a long walk, so she can only go now if myself or my sister take her in the car.

“Mum has met a lot of people there who are having the same problem.

“Closing the gates isn’t stopping any anti-social behaviour. It’s just stopping the little old ladies who want to visit their loved ones.”

Yvonne's sister said: “My eighty-seven-year-old mother is unable to walk to the main gate and can now only look over the wall to see my father's grave.

“Out of respect for mourners the council services should reconsider how best they serve the local community.”

The Daily Echo approached BCP Council to ask what they are doing to prevent anti-social behaviour in the cemetery so the gates can re-open.

A spokesperson directed us to their previous statement without adding any further information or answering the question.

Their previous statement said: “In a multi-agency approach, the council has been working with its councillors, Dorset Police and local community groups to tackle ongoing anti-social behaviour issues in the area.”