Lift Safety Concerns After Woman Trapped

A woman became trapped in a lift with a broken emergency call button on a City of London Corporation housing estate in February. Months later, residents are being advised to carry mobile phones when using the lifts. The incident has led to accusations of neglected lift maintenance on the Middlesex Street Estate.

Sukhin Tye, a leaseholder, had to rely on WhatsApping neighbours for help when she became stuck. She found the emergency call button was not working. Neighbours contacted the Fire Brigade to assist her escape. The issue has raised questions about why lift problems persist.

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Notices were put up in April advising residents not to use the lift unless they have a mobile phone with signal. The notices included a number for property services if residents become trapped. This advice has drawn criticism, with concerns raised about children who may not carry phones.

Criticism of Maintenance and Contractor Management

Roger Way, Chair of the Middlesex Street Estate Residents' Association, stated that the City of London Corporation has neglected repairs and maintenance responsibilities for many years. He said the emergency call buttons in all six lifts have been non-functional since at least early February. Mr Way also criticised the supervision of contractors, suggesting their use of lifts for heavy machinery is causing extended outages.

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Common Councillor Jason Pritchard raised concerns about emergency response arrangements and contractor management. He stated that residents should be able to rely on lifts being safe and emergency systems working. Mr Pritchard has raised these incidents with senior officers and the Community and Children's Services Committee.

A City of London Corporation spokesperson confirmed that one of the six lifts on the estate is out of order. They stated that repairs are expected to be completed by the end of the week and that residents are being kept updated. The spokesperson also highlighted the Corporation's investment of over £300 million to improve safety and sustainability across its housing estates, including upgrades to fire safety and electrical systems.

The Corporation manages 13 housing estates, with Middlesex Street Estate primarily consisting of social housing and dominated by the 23-storey Petticoat Tower. The Corporation has previously reported on lift issues on its estates, with plans to upgrade lifts at York Way expected to begin next spring.