GRIEVING families parked their cars on a pavement to stop council workers from installing bollards around a Southampton cemetery.
More than 20 people staged a protest against Southampton City Council's plans to restrict vehicle access at St Mary Extra Cemetery on Portsmouth Road.
Rosie Beazley, who has family members buried at the cemetery, started a petition against the move. Around 800 people have signed it since Thursday.
People who regularly visit loved ones at the cemetery say they need to park there to have access.
A stand-off on Friday saw council workers stopped from installing the bollards.
The 45-year-old told the Echo: "My mum lost her brother when she was a child herself. Her parents are buried here too.
"She comes to the cemetery three times a day to light a candle or tend to these graves.
"This is her way of grieving.
"This is also her way of still having a connection with them.
"If my mum couldn't come here, she would find a way, believe me. If she couldn't come here, it would kill her."
People visiting the burial ground say they only learned about the changes on Monday and are disappointed there was no consultation.
However, Southampton City Council said that under the Local Authorities’ Cemeteries Order 1977 there is no legal requirement to carry out public consultation on day-to-day operational matters including opening times and access arrangements.
The site will still be open for pedestrians but loved ones worry elderly relatives would have to walk long distances.
READ MORE: Families block pavement in protest to cemetery bollards plans
Rosie's mum Jane Ford, 65, said: "I've been coming here for 63 years, and ever since then, the cars have been going up and down.
"Every night, I light a candle for my parents and my brother, and I have never missed a night.
"It is a bit of a shocker that we are expected to make an appointment from now on.
"This is disrespectful and inhumane."
Lynn Smith, 83, whose husband was buried at the cemetery two months ago, is among those to complain to the council.
The Bitterne resident said: "I came up Monday, and there were the cones with all these notices along.
"I did not receive any letter from the council saying that they are making these changes.
"Some of the graves here are too far for us to get to by foot.
"I am 83 and use a walking stick; I can't walk for that long."
Jenni Smith told the Echo that she visits the cemetery once a week.
She said: "My uncles and in-laws are buried here.
"My uncle is buried at the far end, and it'll be really difficult to get there without my car.
"There are people older than me who drive here because they can only walk so far.
"If council plans continue, you're going to find out that a lot of people are not going to be able to come down here anymore."
Mark Brading also voiced his concerns over the scheme.
Mark has visited the cemetery every day since he lost his 13-year-old daughter in 2016.
He said: "How can you expect someone to visit their loved ones and walk a quarter of a mile? Especially the elderly.
"Instead of the bollard, why can't they put boulders? They would at least look presentable and environmentally friendly."
The council's notice says disabled vehicle access will be permitted by appointment only.
One person who is disabled and didn't want to be named said: "It's really inconvenient, especially for people that are registered disabled.
"This is going to cause a lot of problems up here.
"We should be able to come here whenever we like. We shouldn't have to make an appointment to see our dead relatives."
Peartree ward councillor Alex Houghton has criticised the council's plans.
He said: "I think it's really disrespectful that no one who has family here and is a regular visitor to the cemetery has been consulted.
"Perhaps there could have been a position where there might be some compromise or some understanding among the people here.
"But as things stand, I don't think they should go ahead, leaving people unable to visit their families."
Despite the concerns raised by residents, the council has defended its decision to install the bollards.
Labour councillor for Bevois ward, Toqeer Kataria, said: "As a council it is right and fair we look after our graves and memorials.
"The side footpaths which access burial plots at the cemetery were not constructed or designed for regular vehicle use.
"The investment to fill potholes, even surface and install bollards on the side footpaths will make it safer for visitors by foot, wheelchair, mobility scooters and protect graves and memorials from vehicle damage."
Public notices were recently placed on trees in the area stating the council's plans.
They say: "Please be aware that, with effect from Tuesday, March 21, Southampton City Council intends to restrict vehicle access within this cemetery.
"Vehicles will not be permitted to drive or park on any side paths; access will be restricted by a lockable bollard."
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