THE CHURCH of Wales has reassured concerned residents that access to a graveyard in Wrexham will be maintained amid ongoing works.
A petition was launched following a public meeting which was held to discuss plans to fence off part of St Mary's Church in Brymbo.
The plans come following incidents of slates falling from the roof, with the Church of Wales stating an area needs to be cordoned off for the safety of residents.
Dozens of local residents attended the meeting, called by Cllr Paul Rogers and raised concerns about the proposals.
A petition was started, calling on the Church of Wales to halt their plans and to consider alternative safety measures which would allow the public access to their loved ones graves.
The petition states that "Installing fencing around the building without addressing the condition of the roof is not the answer."
"Unless essential repairs are carried out then the roof will continue to deteriorate and this iconic building will fall into disrepair."
Cllr Rogers added: "I fully support the community on this issue and would encourage residents to make their voice heard"
"I would also urge the Church in Wales to reconsider their proposals and work with the village to find a way forward"
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A spokesperson for the Church in Wales said: “Access to regularly tended graves in St Mary’s Churchyard and most of the graveyard in Brymbo will be maintained, despite the need to erect a small safety cordon around some parts of the closed church building.
“People are being advised that access to a very small area of St Mary’s churchyard, immediately adjoining part of the building, will be restricted following ongoing safety concerns over the state of the roof.
"The decision to impose the restrictions follows reports of loose and falling slate tiles from the damaged roof, confirmed by reports prepared by professional advisors, and this is a requirement of our insurance company to protect the safety of visitors.
“The Alyn Mission Area and the Archdeacon of Wrexham are conscious that this change at St Mary’s may be difficult and upsetting, but they want to assure people that they are working hard to ensure access to graves is maintained. Depending on the final layout of the safety cordon, no more than five graves, and maybe as few as one grave, will be within the cordon.
“Contact is being made with those who regularly tend graves to ensure they are aware of the safety cordon and to reassure them that they will still be able to visit. Access into the churchyard will remain via the current gates and will not be affected.
“Since the church closed, the Church in Wales has been working with the community to secure a future for the building. A community group, Friends of St Mary’s, had hoped to lease it and take over responsibility for its upkeep. However, two years on, the terms of the lease agreement have yet to be met by them.
“We remain very keen to work with the community to find a future for this building.”
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