‘It’s been a year of breakdowns’-St Albans Councillor and Romford MP hit out at housing association urging them to repair the lifts at Charrington Court.

Councillor Judith Holt,Conservative Councillor for St. Alban’s Ward, was joined by Andrew Rosindell the Member of Parliament for Romford, to voice their strongest complaints about and try to compel One Housing, the management company, to repair properly the out-of-service lifts in the eleven-storey Charrington Court in Atlanta Boulevard, Romford.

“We were first alerted to this unacceptable situation in May this year, which we understand has been going on since October 2023,” Councillor Holt told the Havering Daily. “As one resident commented: ‘It’s been a year of breakdowns.’ The last few occasions I have visited the flats to deliver my newsletters, at least one lift has been out-of-order, there have been security guards in attendance and the foyer by the letterboxes has been full of pushchairs.

 “I have received e-mails from a number of Charrington Court residents and, frankly, I have been shocked at what I have read, ” added Mr. Rosindell. “Not just that neither lift has been working properly for nearly a year,  but about the poor service and excuses provided by One Housing, Riverside and Amalgamated Lifts (e.g. not having the right parts), the chaotic complaints procedure which residents are expected to follow and the extra costs for security staff being endured by residents.

 I know full well that there are a number of young mothers with children living in the flats, plus older people with health problems. Even able-bodied residents would struggle without a properly functioning lift for a long period of time. Apparently, some companies will no longer deliver to the block. This situation is completely unsatisfactory and I shall be writing personally to the Managing Director of One Housing.”

 Councillor Holt says she has not heard from One Housing since 3rd September, plus the managing agent has still not answered directly her questions about when the two lifts will be repaired properly and permanently, nor when and how the residents will be financially compensated.

“For both lifts not to be working properly for so long, this must breach a number of Health and Safety laws, plus put One Housing in breach of its contract with the Charrington Court residents. Do they want another Grenfell Tower?”

Andrew Rosindell MP joins Councillor Holt at Charrington Court in Romford.

Stay up to date with all of our latest updates and content by following us on our social media accounts!

We have created community pages where we will share our up-to-date stories happening in the area. Add the area closest to where you live.