Thornton Heath elderly residents trapped “in prison” flats with broken lift

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

Elderly Croydon residents feel like they live “in prison” as their lift has been broken for months.

Some have been unable to leave their flats, while others struggle up and down the stairs of the three-storey block.

The lift broke at Beaumaris Court in Thornton Heath in May. Since then, residents say nine engineers have been sent out but they are still waiting it to be fixed.

Optivo, which manages the flats, has blamed a national shortage of parts and specialist engineers. The housing association claims a vital part is due to arrive from Europe next week.

It also claims the lift worked for a week in June before breaking down again. The block was only built three years ago to replace similar supported living flats. Some of the original residents were moved elsewhere for a few years while it was completed.

John Miller is an amputee and uses a wheelchair. Since the lifts broke he has only been able to move out into the hallway to look out the window.

He said: “It is horrible, I only have one leg, I can’t go out at all. Usually I go out and get a bit of fresh air. I feel like I am in prison.”

Mr Miller said since residents started complaining he has been offered a ground floor property next door, but said he is still unable to move without the lift.

The 88-year-old said: “It is disgusting the way they treat us. We are elderly people. We pay rent. All I want to know is when they are going to come and fix it so we can get out of this place.”

Barbara Morgan claims Optivo only started checking on residents after Councillor Janet Campbell got involved. She has rheumatoid arthritis and struggles to get up and down the stairs.

The 83-year-old said: “It is past apologies now, I just want to know when they are going to fix the lift. After Cllr Campbell got in touch they started coming round and asking if we wanted any shopping done. They can’t go and get a blood test done for me, though.”

A spokesman for Optivo apologised for the delay in getting the lift up and running again and said a shortage of lift parts and specialist engineers was “beyond their control”.

The spokesman said: “We realise how difficult this situation is for our residents and we’re working hard to mitigate the impact on them.

“Our scheme manager is continuing to offer daily help to all residents, including taking rubbish out, carrying shopping and collecting prescriptions.

“We’ve also been writing to residents so they’re kept fully updated. We’ll continue to do all we can to get the lift back in operation and support our
residents.”

Pictured top: The lift has been out of service for 12 weeks as Optivo wait for parts to fix it (Picture: Tara O’Connor)