Replacing ageing lifts in three Southampton tower blocks has cost the council £1.4 million in the past two years, figures obtained by the Daily Echo reveal.

The staggering figure, confirmed by the council through a Freedom of Information request, only refers to works carried out at Albion, Redbridge and Shirley Towers between January 2021 and March 2023.

It does not take into account the cost of repairing broken down lifts in other council-owned tower blocks across the city suggesting the total bill for fixing lifts in that time period is bound to be much higher.

In the past few months, scores of residents have complained of out of order lifts leaving them trapped in their own homes.

This includes pensioners with mobility issues or people with disabilities.

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

Southampton City Council says three lifts dating back to the 1960s have been replaced so far with more to follow in Shirley and Redbridge Towers.

Daily Echo: Mo Simmons, 81Mo Simmons, 81 (Image: Newsquest)

Pensioner Mo Simmons, who lives at Millbrook Tower, described the sum of money spent so far as “huge” and said she hopes the money is used wisely.

The tower has had only one lift working for the past seven weeks which has left the 81-year-old waiting for over half an hour as she cannot use the stairs.

It's been a “nightmare”, she said.

“It’s a huge amount to spend only on lifts and when you’re spending that much money on something then surely you should make sure that it is being spent wisely.

“It’s a lot of money on only a few tower blocks, makes you ask how much it would be for all the blocks.”

READ MORE: Residents left 'housebound' during Easter holidays as lifts break down

Residents at Rotterdam Towers in Weston and Dumbleton Towers in Thornhill were left with no choice but to walk up and down several flights of stairs when the lifts broke down last month.

Joe Ventre, digital campaign manager of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: "While replacements like this are necessary for residents, councils facing financial ruin must always keep an eye on costs and ensure value for money."

A spokesperson for Southampton City Council said: "The £1.4m figure quotes relates to a project to replace lifts across the councils tower blocks at Albion, Redbridge and Shirley Towers.

"The lifts were originally installed during the 1960’s and have been maintained under contract with monthly inspections and repairs. So far a total of 3 lifts have been replaced and further lifts in Shirley and Redbridge Towers are underway or still to be completed.

"We have experienced an upturn in lift repairs across the city more widely and because of long lead in times we have been carrying out some interim repairs, as has been the case for Rotterdam Towers. A programme is being developed to deliver these permanent repairs and where possible, interim repairs will be done."