Colchester Cemetery gates could close to save £10,000 a year

Council staff have put up signs on two pedestrian gates to tell members of the public the entrances will be closed from Monday, November 4.

It is understood Colchester Council is considering permanently locking the entrances to the cemetery from Queen Mary Avenue and the orchard to save the £10,000 it pays maintenance contractor Idverde each year to secure the gates.

Savings – keeping the gates locked could allow Colchester Council to save £10,000 a year (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest) The Gazette has seen an email sent by the authority’s bereavement services manager which says electric gates could also be installed at the main Mersea Road entrance to the cemetery.

Residents have reacted angrily to the plans and expressed disbelief about the thousands of pounds it costs each year to lock two gates.

Vivien Teague, 79, of Berechurch Road, said: “Two entrances [to a cemetery of this size] aren't enough.

“What difference does it make closing a gate or not. Can’t they be bothered to come down here to lock it?

“There's not much to it at all, is there.”

Gate – the gate between Oxford Burial Ground and the orchard could also close (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest) Rita Brooks, 76, of St Mary's Avenue, said locking the gate permanently would cause more problems.

She said: “If they can lock the Mersea Road gate, what's stopping them from locking this one here – it takes a couple of minutes, doesn't it?

“If they do that, it would be terrible – children will be climbing over the gate and all sorts.

“It beggars belief – it takes two minutes to unlock both the gates.”

A Colchester Council spokesman said a final decision has not been made and that residents’ views will be taken into account.

He said: “We understand the concerns raised by residents regarding the potential closure of the Queen Mary gate and the gate separating the Oxford Burial Ground and the orchard.

“At this stage, no decision has been made to permanently close the gates.

“We are currently reviewing these gates as part of a broader initiative to identify cost-saving opportunities while ensuring we continue to provide essential services.

“It is worth noting that alternative access points are available nearby.

Worried – a sign saying the gates will be closed from next month has provoked a response from residents (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest) "While the council spends approximately £10,000 annually on locking and unlocking gates across the cemetery, no decisions will be taken without fully considering the views of the community.

“We welcome input from residents and will use this feedback to inform the decision-making process.

“A final decision is expected to be made after a period of consultation, and we encourage residents to share their thoughts with the cemetery office directly.”