THE ARCH in Cemetery Junction has been closed to the public for safety reasons following advice by structural engineers, Reading Borough Council has explained.
It comes after closer inspection of the historic Grade II Listed structure during planned restoration works 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, April 3, and are locked to the public.
Options to provide alternative pedestrian access, via service gates on the Wokingham Road, are being considered, though this will require clearance work before they can be safely opened to the public.
Signs 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.
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.
Micky Leng, Reading’s Lead Councillor for planning and assets, said: “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.”
Commenting on the Cemetery Arch closure Councillor Rob White (Green Party, Park Ward), leader of the main opposition party on Reading Council said: “I am glad that these long overdue works have started . It is a shame that there is no access to the cemetery but keeping people safe comes first.
“The Cemetery Arch is in Park Ward, east Reading and I walk past it most days. The cemetery is a peaceful green oasis in east Reading. Green councillors are lobbying the council to provide alternative access to Reading Old Cemetery as soon as possible via both the gate to the side of the Cemetery Arch and the Wokingham Road gate at the far end of the cemetery. We will keep up the pressure.”
