RESIDENTS of the Fairways Care Home in Chippenham have been puckering up after kissing gates were installed on a public footpath near to the home, allowing them access onto the path.

The four gates replaced stiles which had restricted elderly locals from using the footpath that leads up to Kington St Michael from the care home located next to Chippenham Golf Course on Malmesbury Road.

“I was the first to move in when Fairways opened in 2014 and we formed a committee,” said Margaret Purves, chairman of the Fairways Residents Association.

“There were very few places to walk safely, if we went by the golf course we were in danger of flying balls.

“The county council costed it out and agreed to put in the gates.

“I don’t have mobility because I’m in a wheelchair but there are people here who like to walk and are young at heart.

“Those stiles were no good for the elderly but I think the gates are being used, we got a letter from the ramblers saying they will use it.

“If you want people to use the footpaths they have got to be accessible to us.”

A total of £800 was raised by residents of the home to pay for the gates, with Wiltshire Council installing them for free.

“We agreed that I would do all the logistics because we needed permission from the land owners, Wiltshire Council can’t just enforce it,” said right of way warden at Wiltshire Council, Craig Harlow.

“The final gate was installed at the end of April and I think the residents are thrilled.

“It helps the wider community as well which is brilliant.”