Croydon pensioners say they have struggled to leave their homes since November because a broken lift hasn’t been fixed.

Elderly people living upstairs in Shaftesbury House sheltered accommodation claim they have been waiting for the lift to be repaired for eight months.

Brandon Williams, who relies on a crutch to walk, has been forced to lug heavy shopping bags up 16 steps to his flat on the first floor of the block since last year.

The 78-year-old claimed other residents have been unable to leave their homes since  because they can’t manage the stairs and rely on family to survive.

He said: “I have had to carry my shopping up there for eight months.

"It’s 16 steps up to my flat.

"I’ve only got three bottles of water and bread in there and it’s so heavy.

"If I buy sugar, yam or sweet potatoes how would I get it up? I would have to have a pulley to get it up.

“They have offered the option of moving out temporarily or permanently if you want it but I’ve been here since 2010.

"One of the ladies hasn’t been out since the lift broke because she can’t get down.

"If she can’t get outside how can she do the washing? Her granddaughter has to do it.”

Sanctuary, who manage Shaftesbury House, said the lift was first recorded as broken in early December 2021.

The housing association has apologised to residents for the ongoing problem.

Frank Psaila, 74, who lives in a bungalow behind the block, said residents met with staff from Sanctuary, the local MP Sarah Jones and representatives from UK Power Networks last week to discuss the problem.

Mr Psaila said while first floor residents had expressed frustration at the time it was taking to repair the lift, following the meeting he had hope the problem would now be fixed. 

A Sanctuary spokesperson said: “We apologise to residents for the ongoing issue with the lift and we understand their frustration.

"This is proving a complex problem to resolve, which requires changes to the power supply into the building, and we continue to work closely with the local power company to find a solution.”

Sanctuary added: “In the meantime, we have offered residents the option of moving into alternative accommodation, have provided additional advice and assistance where needed, and ensured extra support has been provided quickly when requested.

"We are committed to finding a solution to this issue as quickly as possible and will continue to work with residents to ensure support remains in place.”