A ROW has broken out over construction vehicles taking up spaces outside a Romsey cemetery.

Mourners said they have been struggling to park in Woodley Cemetery car park for days as subcontractors had parked their vehicles there.

This comes as David Wilson Homes is building a new housing development on land along Braishfield Road.

Residents said their loved-ones have the right to rest in peace and mourners should not worry about finding a parking space when they go to the cemetery.

The borough council is now set to launch a public consultation to implement parking restrictions at the site.

Romsey resident Hannah Bolton said: “I’ve got family members up there and I go there regularly. They had been parking there for quite a few weeks. When there’s a funeral there’s no way to park”.

The 38-year-old housewife said about seven vehicles including cars and vans were parked there over the past few days.

“I can’t understand why they can’t park over the road in their site. I’m quite angry. When you go to see your loved ones you don’t want to think about parking. I hope they will sort it out as soon as possible,”she added.

Residents raised concerns with the borough council and a sign to stop contractors parking at the site was put at the entrance of the car park.

But deputy council leader Nick Adams-King has now said the authority will start consulting on a three hour parking time limit for the cemetery car park with no return allowed within a further three hour period.

“It is just very disrespectful. It became an issue ten days ago when there was a funeral and people who wanted to attend the funeral could not park,” he said.

Cllr Adams-King said he has spoken with the developer again and action has been taken.

On Thursday Jon Green, managing director of David Wilson Homes, said: “We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused to visitors to the cemetery. We have been working hard to resolve the issue of sub-contractors using the car park. Among the actions we have taken are liaising directly with visitors to the site, erecting signs and monitoring the car park during peak times. As an additional measure we are now deploying a full-time car park attendant throughout the day."