A disabled man trapped in a tower block for nearly six weeks after the lifts failed said it was like being a “prisoner without a crime”.
Adam Gabsi has multiple sclerosis and was left stranded on the sixth floor of Trident Point in Harrow after one of the block’s two lifts broke down on December 29.
The second lift has been faulty for weeks.
He said he contacted housing association Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing on a number of occasions but did not receive a reply.
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Adam, 36, was able to get to a hospital appointment on Wednesday after the second lift was finally fixed, but he is concerned there could be similar problems in the future.
He said: “I’ve been a prisoner for weeks. I try to be as independent as possible but the lifts breaking down have made me more disabled. The situation has made me feel trapped and lonely.
“They have one job, and that’s to make adjustments so we can access our homes. They are legally obligated to do that.
“I can make my flat as lovely as I want, but it doesn’t make a difference if I can’t get to it.”
Residents living in Trident Point say they have been neglected
(Image: Rashmi Kalubowila)
He said he was concerned about getting hold of food and other supplies as several supermarkets would not deliver to the sixth floor without lift access.
His friends, family and neighbours have been looking out for him – but Adam said it should not have to come to this.
He said: “If I didn’t have such a good support network around me then things could have been a lot worse.
“My neighbours have been great and it’s like we’ve all been in it together. But Metropolitan Thames Valley have mismanaged the whole situation and it’s been going on for years.”
Adam visits the Queens Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre on a monthly basis for essential infusion treatments, so it is vital he is able to get out of the building and get back home safely.
He has called for two functioning lifts to be installed.
Tenants in the Pinner Road block have formed the Trident Point Action Group to push for repairs.
It released a statement on Tuesday (January 25) which said they have experienced “disrepair, mismanagement and poor customer service on a daily basis”.
The group said there were concerns around security and an unreliable intercom service, poor heating, faulty lights and damp.
There have been reports of homeless people sleeping in the corridors, drugs users hanging around, mice infestations and pigeons flying around inside the building.
Residents said they are considering a rent and service charges strike if the situation does not improve.
Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas has written to Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing’s chief executive Geeta Nanda to arrange a meeting and discuss the problems.
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Responding to the Action Group’s statement, several Harrow councillors urged the housing association to “take the issues seriously” and “act as a matter of urgency”.
A spokesperson for Metropolitan Thames Valley told MyLondon: “We are very sorry for the issues that residents at Trident Point have been experiencing. We are committed to continuing to work with residents and the managing agent and freeholder [Harprop Limited] to resolve these issues….
“One of the two lifts at Trident Point is in service and all residents are able to access this lift to come and go from their homes. We are working with our contractors to bring the other lift back into service as quickly as possible.
“We regret the difficulties the interruption to the lift service will have caused residents, especially those with mobility issues, and will be contacting the freeholder once again to urge them to replace and renew both lifts. We are continuing to work alongside the managing agent to address issues raised over water leaks and vermin in external communal areas.
“We will be meeting with residents shortly to discuss their concerns and to update them on our programme of works at Trident Point.”
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