High flat residents in Port Glasgow demand new heating and windows

Many older people living in Rowan, Thistle and Heather Courts in Port Glasgow say they are suffering fuel poverty because they cannot afford to heat their homes, which are served by outdated storage heaters.

They say the problem is exacerbated by old windows on the blocks, with vents which are so draughty that many tenants have taped them up.

Mary McNeill, 70, who has lived at Rowan Court for almost four years, said: "The windows are rotten, they more than 30 years old.

"We can't afford to heat our houses, we're all pensioners.

"The bills are extortionate.

"We have to sit with blankets over ourselves just to keep warm.

"River Clyde Homes have neglected these three high flats."

Mrs McNeill said the flats previously got new cladding and smoke detectors but that this 'was a few years ago'.

Around 100 residents signed the petition which has been passed to RCH's assets department.

Veronica McFayden, 58, lives in Heather Court, with her husband who has medical problems.

She said: "It is freezing here.

"I pay £8 a day for electricity - I can't afford it.

"I can only put one heater on.

"My husband has COPD and he is sitting with a housecoat and cover over him."

Residents of Rowan Court, Port Glasgow speak out about heating problems..

The flats were built in 1970 and tenants say they still have the first-type of storage heaters that are on at night and release heat during the day.

Some residents have resorted to using oil-filled heaters to heat their homes as they are shelling out as much as £50 a week to use the storage heaters to any effect.

Linda McCahill, 57, lives on the 12th floor of Thistle Court, and her 93-year-old mum and brother with disabilities live on the third.

She said: "My brother lies in his bed watching TV with his pyjamas and a fleece over the duvet.

"It's absolutely ridiculous for what we're paying in rent.

"I'm sitting with a blanket around my legs."

Catherine McGhee, 68, of Rowan Court, told the Tele: "The windows are double glazed but you would think the traffic from the road outside was actually coming into your living-room with the noise.

"I am very angry we haven't heard anything from River Clyde Homes."

Joseph Mulgrew, 82, who suffered a stroke prior to moving in to the same block about a year ago, said: "My hands are blue living here.

"We only have one heater on, it's too dear to run any more."

Thomas Anderson, 72, added: "It's the lack of interest from RCH that really annoys me."

The Tele has contacted the housing association, who have promised to look at the situation post-pandemic restrictions.

An RCH spokesperson said: "Covid-19 restrictions put in place by the Scottish Government currently mean we are only permitted to offer a limited property repair and inspection service.

"Window repairs that are not an emergency and replacement of heating systems are currently suspended.

"We will advise our customers once the restrictions are lifted and attend to reported repairs as soon as possible."