Southampton: Broken lift leaves residents stuck over Christmas

Frank Proctor, 101, was carried down the stairs in his wheelchair on Boxing Day so that he could join family and friends

Some residents of a retirement block were stuck inside over Christmas after the only lift in their building broke down.

It meant many of those with mobility problems at Linden Court on Wessex Road, Southampton, had to change their festive plans.

Housing association Saxon Weald Homes wrote to residents to say the lift would be prioritised in January.

Saxon Weald Homes has been approached by the BBC for comment.

Frank Proctor, 101, lives on the first floor of the building.

On Christmas Day his family brought his food up to him, and he was carried down the stairwell in his wheelchair by four people on Boxing Day.

Mr Proctor's son, Tom, said the lift at Linden Court broke down regularly

His son, Tom, told the BBC the lift was "constantly breaking down" and that Saxon Weald had promised a stair lift would be installed as a back-up.

"Saxon Weald know [the lift] is obsolete, they know the parts are obsolete... people are frightened to get in it in case they don't get to the bottom of the stairs," he said.

"So Christmas has been ruined for most of the people who have difficulty walking on the first floor."

Another resident impacted was 91-year-old Janet Horton, who said she has been forced to struggle up and down the stairs.

She said she was fed up with the lift being out of action.

"When I can't use it, it's a big problem, especially if I've got shopping," she added.

Janet Horton, 91, has struggled to get down the stairs while the lift is out of action

In a letter sent to residents on 22 December, Saxon Weald Homes said: "Our top priority has been to ensure the lift is operational before the Christmas break, however despite our contractor's best efforts, we have been unable to complete a repair."

The housing association blamed the problems on being unable to source the correct parts due to the age of the lift.

It said it would install a stair lift "as soon as possible".

"We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this will cause to some of our customers over the Christmas break," it added.