TAVISTOCK?s Plymouth Road Cemetery is to be opened up to cars, after councillors decided on a U-turn in their policy of access to the site.

The town council, which owns the cemetery, came under fire from residents at the end of last month, who claimed they were being discriminated against. They slammed a policy which meant disabled drivers could only visit the cemetery on a Wednesday afternoon or by prior appointment, due to the permanent locking of the cemetery gates.

Councillors had agreed the gates should remain locked some time ago, in an attempt to lessen damage to the roads within the cemetery and promote the air of peace and quiet within its walls.

Cllr Anne Johnson, chairman of the cemetery sub committee, told councillors at last week?s properties meeting that unrestricted access to the site would be tried for a trial period.

Cllr Ted Sherrell said: ?We closed the gates for good reasons, but we are getting a lot of people who have complained about this ? it has come to a point where perhaps we have to open it up, rather than upset people who are in a very emotive situation.?

Cllr Norma Woodcock, mayor of Tavistock, suggested members of staff at the cemetery made a ?mental note? of the number of vehicles entering the site. She also recommended ?a very polite letter? be sent to those people who had complained about the access restrictions.

The council has agreed the gates will be left open during the day and ?pulled to? during the evening, although not padlocked, for a trial period of six months.

Meanwhile, a note of the number of cars entering would be made and a careful watch kept on parking and the state of the interior roads.

There have also been complaints that toilets at the cemetery are locked on Friday afternoons and weekends, since the council stopped staff overtime last year.

The council has agreed to erect a notice, pointing out to visitors the nearest alternative facilities.

Jacqueline Tarr, who has made abortive trips to Tavistock from South Brent to visit family graves, said the council?s change of heart was ?absolutely fantastic? news.

?That?s fabulous, it?s made my day ? now I can go over there and do what I have to do without any problems,? she said.