Haringey Council sorry for narrowing wheelchair user's front door

Peter Jaepes has rheumatoid arthritis

A man who used to get around in his electric wheelchair says he has lost his independence after the council installed a narrower front door.

Former electrician Peter Jaepes, who lives on the Noel Park estate in Wood Green, now relies on his carer to push him in a manual wheelchair.

He has been unable to use his electric wheelchair for the past year.

Haringey Council says it is "sincerely sorry for the stress and inconvenience these issues are causing Peter".

'They've somehow shrunk the door'

Mr Jaepes, who has rheumatoid arthritis, told the BBC he wanted the door changed.

The 62-year-old said: "It means I have to rely on someone. It's restrictive. It disables me. It takes away your independence."

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Mr Jaepes, who has lived on the north London estate since 2005, added: "My carer now has to push me in a manual wheelchair.

"Even if that manual wheelchair is opened up, you can't get it through the door. It has to be folded up and taken outside the door. They've somehow shrunk the door."

Sarah Williams, Haringey Council's cabinet member for housing services, private renters and planning, said: "The health and safety of our residents is always our number-one concern and, as far as we were aware, Peter had a manual wheelchair that could fit through the door.

"We were only made aware on Tuesday that was not the case and immediately sent an officer down to assess the situation.

"We will make it a priority to complete all the remaining outstanding adaptation works, which are part of the major renovation of Peter's home.

"The issues that have affected Peter should have been resolved much sooner and we acknowledge that communication moving forward needs to be improved."

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