A NEW gateway into the historic cemetery in Tavistock's Dolvin Road could be on the cards after councillors agreed this week to examine the request further.
The matter was raised in March at the annual town meeting by a resident who explained there was no proper pavement in front of the entrance to the cemetery.
Cllr Jenny Metcalfe said: 'Several members of the public are very concerned — I would have thought it would be fairly simple to open some sort of gate. People visiting that cemetery are generally older and it's rather dangerous to cross the road there.'
Cllr Norma Woodcock said the council did not have unlimited finances and had to consider many requests from members of the public.
She said the cemetery was a closed one and she did not feel restricted access to it affected many people
'I really do question — is this is a priority for our finances?' said Cllr Woodcock.
But Cllr Peter Donkin said cemeteries were part of the parkland of Tavistock, which was both attractive and historically important.
He said: 'I appreciate the concerns about cost, but I can't see they would be particularly high. It's a very minor alteration, it's an excellent idea and I would put it very high on our priorities.'
Cllr Judith Williams suggested the council apply for planning permission to create the gateway, and appeal for financial help from the county council.
The county widened Dolvin Road several years ago and created the problem in the first place, said Cllr Williams.
Members agreed the works superintendent should work out how much it would cost to create a new gateway.
They also paid tribute to cemetery superintendent Douglas Parkhouse and his staff for the 'unusually high' standard they maintained in Tavistock's cemeteries.