Elderly residents at Robert Harvey House, a five-storey retirement housing complex in Cheltenham, have been forced to rely solely on the stairs during a recent heatwave after both lifts in the building broke down. The prolonged lift outages have left many feeling trapped and isolated, with some unable to leave their flats for fresh air or essentials.
The block, managed by Cheltenham Borough Council, has experienced a series of ongoing problems. One lift was out of service for approximately two weeks, followed by the failure of the second lift last week. Meanwhile, the front door intercom system, installed in September last year, has never functioned properly, further contributing to residents’ frustrations.
Sara Haines, whose parents live at Robert Harvey House, expressed serious concerns about the situation. She highlighted how the lift breakdowns obstructed carers and cleaners from entering and described residents as being effectively “trapped” within their homes. “The council really doesn’t care,” she said, criticizing the slow response to these issues. She also noted the lack of clear signage or warnings about the broken lifts and the intercom malfunctions.
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Additionally, equipment and beds have had to be carried up several flights of stairs, and residents have reported parcel thefts because they are not notified when deliveries arrive. The malfunctioning door controls and intercoms have made entry and exit both inconvenient and unsafe for many in the community.
Cheltenham Borough Council has issued an apology for the distress caused. A spokesperson reassured residents that their safety and wellbeing remain the council’s highest priority. The council acted quickly once aware of the dual lift failure, dispatching contractors out of hours over the weekend. While one lift has been repaired, the second requires further work expected to be completed within the week.
Regarding the intercom system, the council has attempted multiple repairs. A new control panel has been acquired and will be installed shortly to resolve ongoing communication issues. Meanwhile, the council thanks residents for their patience and encourages anyone requiring urgent repairs to contact them directly.