A Perth mother of two has criticised Perth and Kinross Council, claiming she has been left a ”prisoner” in her own home following the vandalism of a lift.
Mrs Nicola Brand (23) told The Courier the lift used by tenants living in the Pomarium flats complex broke down on Friday, September 28, making it the ninth time this has happened since she and her husband, Matthew (26), moved there in March.
She claimed it is causing her difficulties, having had a caesarean section 11 days ago when her daughter, Freya, was born.
She said she is a ”prisoner” in her own home.
”I had taken Freya out in her pram on Friday when the inner lift door jammed,” she said.
”The door refused to budge, leaving the outside lift door locked with us inside.
”My friend, Elaine Miller, started to panic and I had to call my husband who was thankfully at home.
”He told us to push up a lever on the outer door of the lift which was very stiff to move.
”Since I am recovering from a caesarean this was quite strenuous.
”The lift door eventually opened but it left both of us very shaken.”
Mrs Brand said she reported it to the flats’ caretaker straight away but feels she is now ”stuck in the flat”.
She said the incident has had ”a major impact” on her family’s life.
”My four-year-old little boy, Leo, has also been in the lift when it’s broken down and is now scared to death of entering any lift,” she added.
”When I was three weeks away from my due date, I brought my son home from nursery to discover the lift had broken down, therefore forcing myself and my son to stagger up to the ninth floor where we live.
”This started my first experience of practice contractions which I feared was genuine labour. My husband had to leave work and this caused a great deal of stress for our family I was in tears.”
She continued: ”New grandparents and relatives hoping to see our 11-day-old baby will now have to wait longer this is disappointing as every mum wants to show off her new arrival.
”Our newborn is also jaundiced and we have been recommended by the midwives to get her out in the sun but this is now impossible, potentially compromising her health.
”I have been told to go outside for gentle walks to reduce the risk of blood clots and to get some fresh air after being in hospital.
”I have repeatedly called the council’s housing department and told them about the lift breaking down, but the council have an uncaring attitude. This is not a place to bring up a young family.”
Craig MacGregor (38), of Pomarium flats, said he feels for his elderly neighbours when the lift breaks down.
”Some of them have arthritis and struggle when this happens,” he said.
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said the lift had been vandalised and they were awaiting parts to repair it.
”Residents can use the lift but if they live on the ninth floor they will have to go up to floor 10 and walk down one flight of stairs,” he said.
preoch@thecourier.co.uk