Churchyard access improved

Work to improve access to All Saints churchyard have now been completed.

Local residents approached Hertford Town Council in 2023, asking if access points to the Churchyard could be improved - allowing mobility aids, wheelchairs, buggies and bicycles to get through with ease.

The churchyard of All Saints Church, on Queens Road, Hertford, is well used throughout the day; by school children, going between local schools - Simon Balle, Richard Hale and Abel Smith and by residents of the surrounding area, as a route in and out of the town centre.

One of Hertford Town Council’s key objectives is to encourage walking, wheeling and cycling, by supporting initiatives to make public spaces safe, accessible and inclusive. The Council is delighted to open the improved access routes; entrance gates into the cemetery have now been widened, stepped access and a swing gate have been removed and a gentle ramp has been installed (at the entrance by Hagsell Road).

The Mayor of Hertford officially opened the improved access points to All Saints Churchyard on Wednesday 10th September.

Hertford Town Councillors, the Town Clerk, the Reverend Simon Cutmore and churchwardens gathered with local residents to mark the occasion.

The Mayor of Hertford, Councillor Steven Watson, commented: "Hertford Town Council is delighted to officially open the improved access points to All Saints Churchyard for the benefit of all of the people of Hertford.

The access improvements allow all to use the public pathways with ease and for such a busy churchyard to continue to welcome everyone in a more inclusive way - whether that’s children on their way to school, parents with buggies heading to Toddler Group and anyone 'walking or wheeling' in and out of our wonderful town.

We would like to thank local residents, in particular Reg Harman, for bringing this project to our attention. We are also most grateful to Reverend Simon Cutmore and the churchwardens at All Saints Church for their ongoing support with this project and for all they do for our community."

Hertford Town Council has responsibility for the maintenance of four closed churchyards across the town, including All Saints Church. All access into All Saints Churchyard has now been adapted to meet the criteria for public paths under the Equalities Act 2010. The ikmprovements include removal of kissing gate, insertion of flat top railing panels, creation of ramp and widening of path from Hagsdell Road at the southeast corner, ï‚· Southwest - removal of kissing gate and post and redundant rails, widening of pathway and retarmacing area at the southwest corner, and increasing the width of the gate ain the northwest corner.