A PENSIONER has been stuck inside his high-rise flat since before Christmas because the lift is broken.
Philip Warbey lives alone and has not left his fourth-floor flat in Cedar House, Fieldway, since December 19.
The 74-year-old widower, who walks with two walking sticks, has been getting by with food and laundry runs from a neighbour.
He is pleading with the council to hurry up with fixing the lift in the 66-flat sheltered-housing block – fearing he might have to miss an important hospital appointment on Monday.
He told the Advertiser: "I only go out twice a week normally, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but you know I look forward to them. I struggle, it is hard, but at least I get out and I get a little bit of exercise and fresh air.
"The hospital is going to ring me to confirm the appointment but if the lift is not working I am going to have to cancel it.
"The lady upstairs has been doing my shopping and taking my laundry for me. Without her I would probably have jumped out of the window by now."
The council says it is waiting for a part it needs to fix the lift. The building's other lift is working but only serves odd-numbered floors and Mr Warbey cannot get up or down the stairs to catch it.
He believes three other residents may be similarly housebound. He has lived in the building for two years but was forced to miss this year's Christmas and new year's parties.
He added: "I have been told an engineer came down but he could not do it – was waiting for a part or something.
"The council have been good before but this has just gone on too long.
"I know at this time of year they are busy and I don't like bothering them – but it has got to the point where this cannot go on.
"I am just getting very fed-up with it."
A spokesman for Croydon Council said: "Our lift contractor sent an engineer to Cedar House to investigate the fault and found that a new brake part was required.
"We are currently waiting for the new part to be delivered, which we expect to be imminent."
