UPDATED 16 January 2024 with comment from FirstPort
The lift in an Eastbourne block of flats which stopped working before Christmas, forcing elderly and disabled residents to walk up and down as many as 90 stairs, has finally been repaired.
Three weeks after residents reported the problem at Penshurst House on Groombridge Avenue, it was working again this week.
They say the lift is frequently out of action and it often takes weeks to be fixed.
The property management company FirstPort, which is responsible for the block, told Eastbourne Reporter that it apologised to residents, saying the delay was “due to a previous payment issue” during a change in its systems.
Chrissie Bews, 62, who suffers from osteoporosis, relied on the kindness of neighbours for shopping but still had to negotiate the 90 steps to her fifth floor flat when she had medical appointments.
She said: “I rely on my lovely neighbours but it took me ages to get down the stairs to appointments and slowly haul myself back up to get home.”
Chrissie (above) is deeply frustrated that the lift frequently breaks down. “It is out of action more often than it is working,” she said.
She pays about £225 a month service charge for the block of 38 flats, which was built in 2010. That charge also includes maintenance of the grounds around the blocks.
A neighbour, who did not wish to be identified, said that when he rang property management company FirstPort to report the broken lift on December 19, he was told the manager was on leave until January 4.
He was told an assistant manager “would see what he could do” but nothing happened.
The neighbour said the manager returned on January 2, but it took another week for the lift to be fixed.
The residents are concerned because older people and families with young children in the block struggle to walk up several flights of stairs.
FirstPort property management’s website states that it delivers “award winning expertise with hands on block management services”.
A spokesperson for FirstPort said in a statement to the Eastbourne Reporter:
“We would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused by the recent lift breakdown at Penshurst House, which has since been repaired. Unfortunately, lift breakdowns do occasionally occur, and we do everything we can to get them back in working order as quickly as possible.
“On this occasion, there was a delay in completing the necessary repairs due to a previous payment issue which occurred during a period of transition to our new payment system.
“As soon as this issue was brought to our attention, steps were immediately taken to resolve it and ensure the lift was repaired as quickly as possible. We are sorry for any inconvenience and difficulties caused by the delay.”
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Great article Rebecca
Thank you!