The Hospital Road pedestrian gate to Bury St Edmunds cemetery is now fully automated, thanks to funding from Bury St Edmunds Town Council and the sunshine.
The two vehicular access gates to the St Edmundsbury Borough Council run cemetery were automated earlier this year, as part of cost savings, but funding did not stretch to automating the pedestrian access gate in Hospital Road. Visitors had to use nearby alternative gates after 4.30pm, when the gate was manually locked.
Bury St Edmunds Town Councillors stepped in when the impact on traffic and visitors became apparent. The council has funded solar powered automation of the gate, which will now open and close at the same time as the other gates, at 8am and 7pm.
Cllr Bob Cockle, Chair of Bury St Edmunds Town Council said, "Bury St Edmunds Cemetery has a very special place in the town's life and is beautifully managed and maintained. We are pleased that we have been able to help any visitors who may have been worrying about using the gate."
Suzanne MacDonald, St Edmundsbury Borough Council Cemeteries Manager said, "It is extremely kind and generous of the Town Council to support St Edmundsbury in this project and has strengthened the already strong ties the two council share. I would personally like to thank Cllr's Bob Cockle and David Nettleton for being so pro-active in their support".
