Broken lift wheelchair user stuck at home 11 months

John Thompson, who has multiple sclerosis, said he felt like a prisoner

A man who uses a wheelchair has spent nearly a year stuck in his Birmingham home because the council has failed to repair the building's lift.

John Thompson, who has multiple sclerosis, says he feels like a prisoner because he cannot get down the steps of the property in Perry Barr.

The lift stopped working in September 2023, which he said had meant missing hospital appointments and had depended on others to fetch his shopping.

Birmingham City Council has apologised for the 79-year-old's situation and said a new lift was due to be installed this month.

"I'm a prisoner in my own home, no matter what I want, I have to rely on other people to get things for me and to do things for me," he said.

"I know I am in a wheelchair, but I can still live a life."

Mr Thompson said he felt ignored by the city council

The lift, which was installed a decade ago, is the only way he can get in and out of the property due to the steep steps.

He and his family said they have been asking the council for months for it to be fixed, but had been passed between departments, all of which had ultimately failed to take action.

"I've just been ignored," said Mr Thompson.

"I've told them if this is the way you are going to treat me, I just won't pay my council tax, and I didn't get an answer to that."

A spokesperson for the city council said: "A series of repairs have been made to previous lifts at the property over a number of years due to damage caused.

"We have recently visited Mr Thompson and written to him to update him and offer advice about the use of the lift in order to avoid further damage, including that it is only designed to support an electric wheelchair and not mobility scooters.

"We apologise for the delay to the installation of the lift as this was due to a change in provider."