Disabled woman forced to sleep in stairwell

A disabled woman says when the lift in her block breaks, she is often forced to sleep under the stairwell downstairs.

Joanne Scott lives in the Silwood Estate in Rotherhithe, south-east London, and says the lifts have broken down 67 times in the past year and at one point she was stuck in her flat for 12 weeks.

The housing association L&Q disputes the number of times the lift has broken down and that it was once out of action for 12 weeks.

David Lewis, executive group director – property services at L&Q, added that the firm was "very sorry for the problems that Ms Scott and the residents have experienced with the lift and recognise this has taken us too long to put right.

"All electrical and mechanical lift components are being replaced to ensure that it meets the highest standards and provides a long-term reliable service - our aim is to have this work completed by the end of this year."

Story by Alison Earle

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