Cemetery Arch Closed to the Public for Safety Reasons
- Cemetery Arch has been closed to the public for safety reasons
- Further works were identified during planned conservation improvements to the historic archway
- Council is working to provide an alternative entrance to the cemetery
Cemetery Arch has been closed to the public for safety reasons following advice by structural engineers.
Closer inspection of the historic Grade II Listed structure during planned restoration works has uncovered significant defects to the front stone gable. Structural engineers have now advised the Council that access to the archway needs to be closed off for safety reasons.
The main entrance gates to the cemetery, which provide the only access to the cemetery grounds, were therefore closed on Thursday (3 April) and are locked to the public.
Options to provide alternative pedestrian access, via service gates on the Wokingham Road, are being considered. This will require clearance work before they can be safely opened to the public. On site signage will direct pedestrians to the alternative entrance once it is available for use.
The Council’s contractor, Cliveden Conservation, and structural engineers will now need to undertake more detailed inspections of the arch to fully understand the scope of the remedial work which will be required. Their findings will be reported back to the Council for future options to be considered.
“We are currently carrying out some conservation works to the Cemetery Arch and have identified some further works that will need to be carried out. As we know with the restoration of historic buildings, it is not unusual to identify further repairs as works progress.
“Public safety will always our priority, so as a precaution the front entrance will be sealed off, pedestrian access will be available from the London Road and the gates to the rear of the cemetery will be opened in the near future.”
The planned works to Cemetery Arch included important structural improvement works, followed by a steam clean, with gates removed and taken away for repair and repainting off site. These works are now on hold pending further investigations.
In the meantime, the Council is working with those volunteer groups that do so much to support Reading’s historical cemetery through monthly work parties, in order to maintain access for those events whilst the Council works to ensure safe access to the cemetery for all residents as soon as possible.