Greenock pensioners say they are 'prisoners' in flat

Angry homeowners Linda and Andrew Graham, aged 74, moved in to the privately owned Patrick Street building two years ago to be closer to Inverclyde Royal, where Andrew is a heart bypass patient.

But the retired couple say it has turned into a nightmare - and that Linda even ended up trapped in the lift for hours before being rescued by the fire brigade.

Linda and Andrew Graham trapped in flat (Image: George Munro) In the last two months it has only been working for a week which makes it almost impossible for the couple to get out on a daily basis.

Now Inverlyde MSP Stuart McMillan has stepped into urge action by the factor and lift company. 

Linda, who was diagnosed with neck cancer before undergoing gruelling treatment, said: "We moved to Greenock to be nearer the hospital because we both have such serious health conditions.

"We bought this flat because it was near the town centre. it was so handy and there is a lift. But since we moved here, the lift keeps breaking down. 

"We have waited since August 29 for this to be fixed, and before that it was only working a week after it was out of order for five weeks before that.

"I ended up trapped in the lift in July. It was terrifying, I pressed the help button but no one answered.

"Luckily I had a phone signal and the fire brigade came. The lift engineer couldn't make it for another hour.

"But we are not the only ones. There are a lot of pensioners here. We are like prisoners on the top floor."

The couple, originally from Dunoon made the decision to move to Greenock because of the cost and travel connected to their hospital visits.

Linda added: "Andrew had a bypass 18 years ago but on the first day of the pandemic he took a heart attack and had to go to the Golden Jubilee. He was fitted with four stents.

"I was diagnosed with cancer years ago and had to stay in the Beatson for six weeks solid because I couldn't travel.

"I am in remission now, thank goodness. Andrew went out today, to get out of the house, but that will be him now.

"He can't get out and about without the lift. When we need to go out I am trying to.

"But it is a lot of stairs."

Linda, who was an auxilliary, says she has phoned her factors, McTavish in Greenock, and the lift company every single day.

She added: "They have no idea when it will be fixed. First of all they said they were waiting for a part. They were here all day on Thursday but couldn't fix it, and said they had to get a technician to come."

Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan said: "I have contacted the factor and lift maintenance company to ask for an urgent update on the repair and to ask what else can be done to support residents while this issue remains.

“We all accept that things break down from time to time. That is why you pay for a maintenance contract. However, three weeks seems excessive to wait for a repair, especially when the issue affects so many elderly people being able to leave their homes.

“The repairs needs to be made as soon as possible and I will continue to liaise with residents to offer support where I can."

McTavish told the Tele that they have been made repeated calls to the lift company sometimes three or four times a day.

A spokeswoman said: "We feel very sorry for all the residents in Patrick Street. We are doing all we can to get it fixed as soon as possible.

"We have phoned up the lift company sometimes three or four times a day. But we are relying on a third party."