Southampton City Council spent almost £10k on repairing broken lifts

Neighbours living in tower blocks across Southampton are still dealing with issues of broken-down lifts despite repairs worth thousands.

The Echo uncovered, via a Freedom of Information request, that the council spent £9,740 in repairs in 2022.

It comes after figures obtained last month showed that replacing ageing lifts in three Southampton tower blocks has cost the council £1.4 million in the past two years.

Lesley Hamer says residents saw the lifts at Dumbledon Towers in Thornhill, which only saw £124.56 in lift repairs last year, broke down 20 times in a day.

Speaking to the Echo, the 47-year-old resident who lives on the 13th floor said: “Last week [the lift] broke 20 times in a day, it kept on stopping and the door wouldn’t shut, it would get stuck on floors for loads of time. It’s just a nightmare, it’s ridiculous.

“I think what they need to do is put in a new lift, not repair something that is clearly beyond repair.

“Nobody feels safe going in the lifts because they don’t know when it’s going to break down.”

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

Lesley recalls the week when some residents on the block were moving out and using the lifts, which left people waiting ten minutes to use the lift.

She said: “We had a couple move out last week and it took them so long to move out because there was only one lift working.

“Other couple then couldn’t use the lift because they were taking it up. I sometimes have to wait 10 minutes for a lift because I live on the top floor.”

Meanwhile, Millbrook Towers saw £1,391 in lift repairs, almost 11 times more than those at the Thornhill block however residents say hardly.

Mo Simmons, 81 (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: 'Urine on the stairs, maggots and broken lifts - Welcome to Millbrook Towers'

Pensioner Mo Simmons describes rowing between neighbours over who uses the lifts.

The 81-year-old said: “Every floor has families with children and in the morning and afternoon during the school run it’s very busy with people trying to get in and out.

“With this happening people sometimes get into rows with other people because they want to use the lifts but there isn’t enough space for everyone.”

She added: “They need to get something sorted, whatever the issue is they need to get it sorted. And it doesn’t seem to be leading anywhere if they’re spending so much money on these towers.”

A Southampton City Council spokesperson said: “Up to April this year, we have spent over £100,000 on maintaining and improving lifts in council-owned blocks across Southampton, including £11,000 at Dumbleton Towers and Millbrook Towers.

"We recognise the service has not met the high standard our tenants expect, and we apologise for the inconvenience caused while the lifts have been out of service.

"We are looking to address the issues through further investment and planned works, and we will continue to support residents and keep everyone updated as the programme progress.”