A resident in a Fife retirement complex claims she and her neighbours are living in a “state of emergency” because the lift keeps breaking down.
Jemima Armour, 70, said she and other residents at Bield’s Carlow Court complex in Leven are being forced to take the stairs – if they can.
“People here are old and disabled, and they are stuck in their flats – it’s like being held prisoner,” she said.
“Many just can’t manage.”
The last incident happened at the weekend when a fault was discovered in a control panel. Bield said the issue was not related to previous difficulties with the lift doors and insisted engineers had worked to fix it as quickly as possible.
Mrs Armour said the breakdown had happened on more than one occasion and residents no longer felt safe using the lift.
“I just think it’s an accident waiting to happen,” the pensioner added.
She said staff had been helping tenants in the four storey housing complex – taking meals to those who couldn’t manage to get downstairs to the lounge.
They have also been bringing supplies in to her as she cooks her own food.
However, she said everyone was becoming increasingly frustrated at the lift – for some the only means of access – being regularly out of order.
“I am a wee bit claustrophobic and so it’s not easy for me being stuck in the flat,” she said.
In the past she had attempted to use the stairs with her stroller.
“But I didn’t feel safe.
“I won’t be doing that again.”
A brochure for Carlow Court, which has 36 self contained flats and studios, describes its “high quality range of housing” where renters “will not have to worry about repairs”.
It also pledges that the manager ensures the buildings and facilities are kept in good order.
A spokesman for Bield said: “We appreciate that the situation at Carlow Court has not been satisfactory and we apologise to tenants for any distress caused by the unfortunate problems with the lift.
“We are aware that since October there had been an issue with the lift’s doors which has now been resolved.
“However, the breakdown over the weekend is unrelated and caused by a fault in the control panel.
“The lift is now fully operational.
“The wellbeing and safety of our tenants is of the upmost importance to us and we worked with engineers to resolve the situation as swiftly as possible.”
