A GRANDMOTHER says she has been left trapped in her own flat after heavy rainfall formed a “swimming pool” outside her front door.
Alison Escudero of Irving Road in Southampton said she cannot leave her home due to the flooding in the communal area of her block of flats.
Alison is on the waiting list for a knee operation and uses crutches to move but is too scared she might slip when water pools outside her home.
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The 56-year-old said: “This always happens when it’s pouring down with rain; it’s like someone has been out with the hosepipe.
“The water is coming through the ceiling and down the walls. It’s just tipping down.
“I can’t get out because of this, it’s like a swimming pool. It only seems to affect the downstairs area in the communal space.
“We don’t know what’s causing it and I think it’s disgusting in this day and age.”
Alison has lived in the council-run block of flats since 2016 but is keen to leave.
She has been on the waiting list to move for four years.
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Alison said: “It’s happened before, and the council just tell me to stay in. But I have hospital appointments, I need to see my daughter and grandchildren, and I have things to do.
“I’m on crutches as my left leg is dying. If I fall and hurt myself because of this, I will sue the council.
“I can’t live in these conditions.
“The council won’t do anything to stop the water and I think this building should be pulled down and rebuilt.”
A Southampton City Council spokesperson said: "We have visited this address to investigate, and while there is some surface water in the ground floor communal area, caused by recent inclement weather, we don’t believe it is affecting access to individual homes.
"Our team is carrying out some repairs to the guttering and we’re working to clear the area as soon as possible, so residents should continue to take care when entering and exiting the building.
"We expect residents to help maintain the communal areas where they live, and also to report maintenance issues to us directly by calling 023 8083 3006 or visiting southampton.gov.uk/repairs.”
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