A BUSINESSMAN who owns a trout fishery which has been adapted for disabled fishermen says someone is purposely locking his customers out.

Peter Thurston, who runs the fishery in Carpenters Arms Lane in Thornwood, said: “The access is through a gated development at the end of a lane.

However, the gate keeps getting locked and I have had a few disabled fishermen who couldn't get onto the land.

"Normally they park in the car park and can walk a short distance to the land, but if the gate is locked they can't get to the car park.

"I have been told by the council that the gate is meant to open and shut automatically and it shouldn't be locked. I'm meant to have unrestricted access to my land.”

The gate belongs to Teazlemeade Management residents' association, but Mr Thurston said it was meant to stay unlocked.

He added: “I think people living nearby want the council to find me another route because they don't like people driving past their houses.

"But I'm losing money and people are being turned away at the gate. Someone else is controlling my business. It's awful, especially when I cater for disabled people.”

Fisherman Gerry Graham, 61 from Theydon Bois has a chronic heart condition and is only allowed to walk up to 100 metres.

He said: “I went to use the fishery and someone has started locking the gate so we can't gain access. The other place you can park is too far away for my friend and I to walk, we are both blue badge holders.

It's the only place we can go fishing because you can drive right up to water edge. Unfortunately we won't be able to fish there until this has been resolved.”

A spokesman for Teazlemeade Management residents' association said they did not wish to comment.