COUNCILLORS have reversed a plan to lock gates to drivers at Witney’s Tower Hill Cemetery.

The gates had been closed by Witney Town Council earlier this year after cars drove over children’s graves and motorists disrupted funeral services.

But disabled and elderly residents, who find it difficult to walk to the site, said an appointment system to open the gates made them feel they had to rush visits.

Councillors had proposed installing electronic gates to allow disabled and elderly motorists access via remote control.

But they have scrapped the plan in favour of keeping the gates open during daylight hours.

Wooden stakes will be installed either side of the main path, to protect graves, and bollards will stop cars going on smaller paths.

The decision was taken at a leisure and recreation committee meeting on Monday.

Councillor Toby Morris said: “To restrict when people can visit their loved ones is not the place of the council.”

But councillor Jim King said: “There is damage being done up there.”

Councillor Roger Curry said the gates should stay open between “dawn and dusk” to cars but locked at night and during funerals.

Councillors backed his plans but decided to review the situation in three months.

Witney resident Maureen Garrison, 69, who has relatives buried at the cemetery, said: “People were of the opinion that they should not have to make appointments to see graves.”