Calls for police to investigate drivers cutting through Bristol cemetery
Tyre marks have been left over graves
Last updated 7th Feb 2025
Avon and Somerset Police are facing calls to investigate drivers, using a Bristol graveyard as a short cut to avoid bad traffic.
Last week (27th January) photos were shared online appearing to show a car driving through Avon View Cemetery in the St George area and tyre marks over a grave, with comments calling it "unbelievable", "cruel" and "disgusting".
It's thought nearby road closures have led to drivers cutting through the site. Several surrounding roads have recently been blocked off by Bristol City Council as part of its East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood Scheme, which it's hoped will stop people driving so much and make streets safer for pedestrians.
Stephen Williams is a Bristol City Councillor, which also manages the cemetery and says he was "shocked" when he first heard the news.
He told Greatest Hits Radio: "I've been around politics for over 30 years in Bristol and have come across lots of traffic calming measures, parking restrictions and whatever over the years and I know people often get quite angry and upset...
"We've seen people vandalise signs or remove bollards and kick over cones or whatever before, but the fact people would not only drive through a cemetery road but drive over graves, I really did find genuinely shocking and wonder how on Earth could people do that?
"Nobody's journey is that important."
What is the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood?
Liveable Neighbourhoods are being introduced in town's and cities across the country. The idea being that roads in residential areas are closed to cars to make the street a nicer place for pedestrians. It is also hoped such a move will improve air quality and encourage people who traditionally would drive to get around, to either walk, cycle or get public transport instead.
Roads impacted by the East Bristol Scheme include Beaufort Road, Wicket Lane and The Avenue all of which are near to the cemetery. A trial of the scheme has not officially started yet despite many of the road closures already being in place.
In January work to install a bus gate in Barton Hill as part of the scheme had to be abandoned when around 30 campaigners gathered at the site and blocked its installation. Opposition arguments include that it will make people's journeys longer.
One woman who spoke to us about the scheme near to the cemetery, who asked not to be named, said it is "definitely not working".
She said: "I live on Troopers Hill Road. It wasn't that busy (and) now it's absolutely horrendous. It's like Piccadilly Circus...
"They (the Council) I guess were trying to make life better, like the pollution issue, safer streets for people in the neighbourhood, but I don't feel safe now in Troopers Hill when I cross the road.
"Honestly the way they (drivers) tear up it now, I'm really, really cautious."
Dave who lives on Blackswarth Road by the cemetery said: "Largely I'm supportive of them (the closures).
"It's made more traffic on Blackswarth Road which is worse for me, but there are thousands of people on these side roads that now have a much more peaceful place to live. They're not being bombarded with traffic all the time."
"Largely I support the Liveable Neighbourhood Scheme but I don't think they've done a good enough job of supporting it with public transport."
Will the police get involved?
Regarding drivers cutting through Avon View Cemetery, Councillor Williams told Greatest Hits Radio said he would support criminal proceedings against those responsible.
He said: "I would think in general common law it's an outrage to public decency...to knowingly drive over graves is an offence to public decency.
"If there is number plate evidence as to the vehicles involved, then I certainly support that being passed to the police and for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service to decide if there are grounds for prosecution..."
"I certainly think this sort of thing is so outrageous that it can't be left unchecked."
Greatest Hits Radio has asked Avon and Somerset Police if the force is investigating and is awaiting a response.