Residents of a gated community in Corsham have hit back at claims that they are blocking wheelchair users from entering a rear door of a dental practice.

Wheelchair users said they were now unable to access the Power and Stafford-Wood dental surgery on Pickwick Road because a rear entrance that can take a wheelchair ramp is no longer accessible since residents of Porters Mead decided they would cease to open the electric gates.

Resident James McAninch said: “The access they enjoyed previously was an informal one with our consent.

“Unfortunately some of the patients visiting the dentist have rammed into the gates and have become stuck causing a great deal of damage. This is damage that we have had to pay hundreds of pounds for.

“On four occasions, taxi drivers when asked politely to move, to let residents and bonafide visitors pass, have given them a torrent of abuse and foul language. I myself have had one of the patients swear at me in front of my small daughters, and it is not acceptable.

“While I obviously have every sympathy with the disabled users I find it amazing that the true issue here is being ignored.”

The surgery says it cannot install a ramp at its front entrance because the steps on the historic building are too steep.

Dentist William Stafford-Wood was unavailable for comment but when he was originally contacted about the problem he said that they may have to find new dental practices for the four wheelchair users currently enrolled at the practice.

He said: “At the moment I can’t see any other way forward but maybe things will change in the future.”