Southampton residents 'housebound' during Easter as lifts break down

Those living at Rotterdam Towers on International Way have been left with no choice but to walk up and down several flights of stairs after the lifts at the 13-storey block broke down.

Chairs have been placed on the stairwells at the Weston block for disabled residents to use while waiting for help.

Bill Brady, 96, is having to walk from the seventh floor carrying his folding cane and is reliant on his neighbours to help him as he walks upstairs.

Bill Brady, 96 (Image: Newsquest)

“Going downstairs isn’t so much the issue, it’s going back up that’s where the problem.

“And everyone is busy these days, so no-one has time to help me if I need help,” he said.

When asked what happens when no-one is around, the pensioner said: “You just sit down on one of the chairs and wait for someone to come.”

READ MORE: Grandad stuck in lift with paramedics while suffering heart attack

Mr Brady, who has lived in the flats for over 30 years, added: “I have been here a long time. I moved here years and years ago and we use to have two wardens.

"On holiday times one was off duty but typically there were two wardens. Now we haven’t got any.”

He added: “The thing is there’s no communication, [the council] won’t tell us anything. What’s happening or how long for, they won’t tell us anything.”

READ MORE: Residents up in arms over drug use and broken lifts in tower blocks

Meanwhile, Kevin Olding, who also lives on the seventh floor, said: “It’s like being housebound, I’m having to take the stairs and it is a struggle as I’m not getting any younger.”

The 55-year-old relies on a mobility scooter for long journeys.

He shares similar concerns as other residents, arguing communication between the residents and the local authority needs to improve.

He said: "The council do a good job, they’re just not good at communicating."

Some residents have been told it could take as long as 12 weeks to fix the lifts.

Kevin added: "If someone has an emergency up there and calls the ambulance, it’s going to be a major issue."

Stay up to the date by breaking news emailed directly to you.

In a letter to residents, Southampton City Council said: "We are making every effort to resolve the issue, following an inspection on the lifts the contractors have had to take them out of commission to investigate the issue further."

The letter adds the housing office team contacted residents by telephone to discuss personal circumstances and advised residents who may need support to contact nearby friends or family in the first instance.

The letter adds: "Please accept our sincere apologies for the disruption caused and thank you for your patience while the lifts are fixed."