OAPs '˜prisoners in own homes' due to faulty lift in Motherwell

Frail pensioners living in a block of flats claim that they have become prisoners in their own home because a vital lift has been out of action.

Margaret Grier (L) and Vicky Turner outside Airbles Tower. Neighbours had to carry Margaret's mobility scooter down the stairs so she could get out. Picture: SWNS

The lift in the tower block in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, has been out of action for three weeks with anxious residents trapped inside their homes.

Before it broke down completely, the elevator had only worked sporadically for a further three weeks.

Bizarrely, it has affected only the even numbered floors which meant a stroke victim had to wait for family assistance to get out of her home.

Margaret Grier, 76, said she was stuck in her home for 10 days until relatives stepped in to carry her heavy mobility scooter from her flat on the 14th floor down to the 13th.

She struggles to walk down even one flight of stairs and feels she shouldn’t be forced to wait so long for what they describe as a lifeline service to be restored

Margaret said: “I get out for my shopping, but I don’t use the laundry room.

“After Grenfell, the council has gone to the extent of taking away our doormats because they are seen as a fire risk but what about the lift?”

Many elderly people live in the council-run tower block and have struggled to get out of the multi-storey block of flats.

Margaret’s daughter, Leanne Slavin, fears that her mother would be in serious danger if an emergency were to happen and she was unable to use the lift.

She added: “There are many elderly people in this tower and they are having to struggle either up or down to the odd floors to get in and out.

“I would think, with the Grenfell disaster not long ago, there would be more urgency in getting this fixed.

“I know my mother will never get out of the building if there’s an emergency and I’m sure there are many in the same boat.”

Vicky Turner, also 76 and a 14th-floor resident, added that the break down has been very inconvenient for her.

She said: “I’ve also had a stroke and find it very difficult to use the stairs. It’s very inconvenient.”

Alison Clarke, the council’s area manager, warned it could be another four weeks before the lift is repaired.

She said: “A major lift refurbishment is being carried out. We appreciate that this causes inconvenience but this replacement is necessary.

“The works are on schedule and are due to be completed by mid-September.”