£10 million plan to fix city lifts (From The Argus)

£10 million plan to fix city lifts

7:12pm Wednesday 3rd September 2008 in

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Every lift in council properties is to be replaced and refurbished as part of a £10 million plan.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s housing cabinet member meeting is expected to approve the investment next Wednesday.

The news comes after paramedics treating a sick pensioner had to be freed by firefighters after they were trapped in a lift.

The drama unfolded at the Leach Court sheltered flats in Kemp Town, Brighton, where lifts have been regularly out of action in the last year.

An 88-year-old man with a history of heart problems was taken ill on Friday afternoon and was helped into the lift in a wheelchair by paramedics.

But the lift became stuck and firefighters were called to free the patient and paramedics.

Maria Caulfield, the council's cabinet member for housing, said the situation was unacceptable.

The current contract provides for routine service and minor repairs but individual bids have to be made for each major piece of work.