The residents of Argenta House are celebrating their ‘freedom’

VULNERABLE people living in sheltered housing threw an “Independence Day” party to celebrate the return of their only lift after it was out of action for 116 days.

For some residents living in Argenta House, in Belsize Park, last Friday was the first opportunity in nearly four months to leave their flats and sit together in the ground floor communal room after the lift was finally repaired.

Amid the celebrations, residents living in the block of 29 flats are now questioning why it took Camden Council so long to restore the lift, saying vulnerable tenants in sheltered housing should have been treated as top priority.

Des Marshall, a tenant, said: “It’s unbelievable, they didn’t care about us. It’s a relief we got through it and everyone is well. People were stuck in their flats unable to get out or come downstairs. It’s shocking really.

“The communication with the council is so poor. I cannot believe this has been allowed to happen, in sheltered housing we should be a top priority, not left to suffer for months on end.”

Mr Marshall said the council had refused to compensate residents while the lift had been out of action, because they had been “offered” decanting.

Pam Dodge, another tenant, added: “It was horrendous for people that have walkers, sticks and wheelchairs, they were just stuck in the whole time.

“The main thing was the shopping, getting it up and down the stairs but the lift engineers did help, they were amazing with shopping. We didn’t see any external council workers visit and ask if we were OK.”

For resident David Sare it was the first time he had left his flat in 116 days.

He said: “I like to come downstairs, and socialise. Also with the heat recently it’s been very hot in the flat and I haven’t been able to get out.

“While the lift was out I had to cancel my hospital appointments as I couldn’t get there.”

Michael Coulson, who paints model historical figures in his spare time, said: “I had to carry my laundry up and down four flights of stairs. And my shopping. Every day. I bought a knee brace which saved me, I don’t feel any fitter. When you get to our age you don’t get fitter, they may say it was good exercise but it wasn’t.”

A Camden Council spokesperson said: “We apologise to residents at Argenta House for the disruption caused while we urgently carried out a full modernisation of the lift. Now complete, this will provide a safer and more reliable lift service to improve accessibility for residents.

“Because this is a major upgrade rather than a minor repair, the work took longer than usual. During this time, we made sure residents received individually tailored support, including help with shopping and heavy items, regular welfare checks, safe rest points on stairwells, and access to 24-hour assistance and alternative accommodation if required.”