Pensioners ‘prisoners’ in flats after lift breaks down

The lift at the flats in central Brighton has been broken for several weeks

Pensioners have described feeling like "prisoners" in their own homes after a "lifeline" lift broke down in social flats for over 50s.

Residents at the property in Gloucester Place, Brighton, said the lift had been out of action for three weeks but they had not been told when it would be fixed.

One elderly resident told the BBC it had taken him three hours to go to a chemist for vital medication after using the stairs, while another said she had "broken down and cried a few times".

Sanctuary Housing, which owns the property, said it was "sorry it is taking longer than expected to restore the lift and for the inconvenience residents have been caused".

Stephen Adams, who is in his 80s and has emphysema and mobility issues, said residents were currently "relying on other people" including the postman to bring items like milk bottles up the stairs.

But with his family living more than 70 miles away, he said there were other things he had to do on his own from his third-floor flat.

"It took me three hours... to go and get my medication for my emphysema and other tablets that I have to take," he said. "I had to come up [the stairs] on my bottom."

He added: "We're all of the age here now where the lift is our lifeline."

While Mr Adams said he was unable to get far beyond the flats, he added that he routinely went outside.

"Just to get in the lift, to walk out the front door and sit on the bench to have some fresh air is everything," he said.

He said he had made "numerous" attempts to ask the housing association when the lift would be fixed, but had not received an answer.

"Nobody has contacted us or done anything at all, they just keep ignoring us," he said.

The issue with the lift was first reported to Sanctuary Housing on 21 August.

'Lift broke previously'

Margaret Knights, 86, lives on the fourth floor and relies on crutches to get around.

She said the lift had broken down "on many occasions" during the 20 years she had lived at the property.

"But usually someone's been in contact with us to explain what's happening," she said.

Her children are currently doing food shops for her, but Ms Knights said "if it wasn't for that... I wouldn't have anything".

"I feel like I'm having a nervous breakdown quite honestly," she said. "I'm a prisoner shut within these four walls in my flat.

"I look out from my window and see life going on as usual but I'm not part of it."

The retiree, who said she usually went outside every day that it was not raining, added that she had "broken down and cried a few times".

Sanctuary Housing said a contractor would complete the repairs "as soon as the specialist parts arrived" and that it would offer residents "additional support and assistance" until work is completed.