Coffins to be carried beneath barrier under Dudley parking plans
Coffins would have to be carried underneath a parking barrier for funerals if plans for new restrictions at a Dudley church go ahead.
New proposals aim to build the barrier close to Central Methodist Church.
Furious church bosses claim the application by HM Courts and Tribunals Service breaches a decades-old covenant and will affect services.
Coffins would need to be carried the last 50 yards or so to the church.
HM Courts and Tribunals Service has offered an olive branch to the church by holding a summit and a spokesman said it is "considering how to address their concerns".
The barrier would be built to the rear of the Dudley magistrates court building, on Gads Lane, which is used as an access point by the church. A petition signed by 98 parishioners has been sent to council planners.
Property secretary John Perkins said the barrier "will cause extreme distress to the families of the bereaved when attending church for funerals".
He added: "The hearse will have to park lower down in Gads Lane and they will have to walk the coffin under the barrier and then into church, with the reverse after the service, prior to leaving for the crematorium or cemetery.
"Clearly this is an intolerable strain for families at an extremely emotional time."
Reverend Jeremy Hawkins has written a letter to the council raising concerns about the scheme. The parties have held a positive meeting about the plan since it was submitted, according to Rev Hawkins.
Rev Hawkins wrote: "I am distressed to learn that it is proposed to have a permanent barrier on Gads Lane – without any consultation with the church and which would cause great distress to the church.
"It has been a mutual understanding and practice, since the land swap when the current church was built, that the church would have access to the main entrance for funerals during the working day, and be able to use the car park in the evenings and weekends.
"As well as the distress caused during funerals and other occasions, there is the concern emergency vehicles and services would be obstructed."
HM Court and Tribunals Service spokesman Mark Kram said: "We have met representatives of the church and are considering how to address their concerns."
