AN elderly disabled widow trapped in her home by a broken lift is being 'treated like an animal' said her heartbroken daughter as she helplessly watches while her mum's health deteriorates.
Cynthia Ash, 84, is one of a number of vulnerable residents in a block of flats in Brookthorpe Close in Warndon, affected by the ongoing saga of a broken lift.
Despite regular visits from her family, Mrs Ash has not left her home since Christmas, too frail and frightened to use the stairlift, fitted as a temporary measure until the lift is replaced.
"I wish I could get out. I don't know what I would do without my family," said Mrs Ash as she wiped away tears.
Her wish is to see her 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren or even get some fresh air.
Warndon city councillor Jill Desayrah is increasingly concerned after learning that no works contractor has been selected by landlords Platform Housing Group.
She understands it would take 22 weeks from the selection of a contractor before work to replace the lift can start but is unclear how this figure has been arrived at if one has not been selected yet.
Mrs Ash has Scoliosis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, leg problems which affect her mobility, a liver condition and heart problems, relying on a wheelchair if she is outside.
Her 59-year-old daughter, Angela Jones of Gamekeepers Drive, broke down in tears as she described her mum's decline which she blames on the broken lift.
She said: "How will they get her out in the event of a fall? How would they get anybody out? What if there's a fire? It's disgusting when they're still taking her rent. She is trapped in her own flat.
"It's upsetting. Every time I come here she is so, so down. It's not fair because we can't get her out. You don't treat animals like that. To treat an 84-year-old woman this way is disrespectful. I love my mum to bits. She is my world. She has gone downhill fast because she can't get out."
The mother-of-five is visited twice weekly by Mrs Jones and twice weekly by her son who is also angry about the situation.
Cllr Desayrah, who has campaigned for years to get the lift replaced, hugged both women and said: "I'm really sorry this is happening to you.
"They have spent a whole year doing nothing. They have not even started the procurement process. This is an abuse of human rights."
Cllr Desayrah is calling for Platform to communicate proactively 'rather than letting target dates and deadlines pass without comment'.
She now understands the lift will be replaced by March next year. The lift has broken down periodically but suffered a major breakdown in June last year.
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Residents had understood, after attending a residents' meeting last August, that the lift would be replaced in April of this year. However, Cllr Desayrah is concerned it will not be replaced until March next year.
Marion Duffy, chief operations officer at Platform Housing Group said : “We are sorry to hear of the concerns regarding the lift at Brookthorpe Close flats.
"Due to the lifts ongoing repair issues we are now organising a full replacement.
"Stairlifts have been installed for those customers who require them. We will continue to liaise with them all directly.”
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