A disabled Dundee man has been imprisoned in his flat for nearly two months waiting for the council to fix the lift.
Thomas Taylor hasn’t been able to get outside since early July, meaning he’s missed all his hospital appointments and is relying on internet shopping for food.
His leg was partly severed in a horrific accident in 2005 and he is now having to rely on his elderly father to run errands.
To make matters worse, the Landsdowne Court building where the 52-year-old lives tantalisingly does have another working lift – but it doesn’t stop on his floor.
Thomas lives on the ninth floor but his disability means he can’t even tackle the short flight of stairs leading to the operational lift, which only stops at even numbers.
The former truck driver said that despite promises to get his lift up and running quickly, Dundee City Council has yet to do so.
“I’m going stir-crazy in this place,” he said.
“I’m disabled and I don’t get about very well – I use a wheeled walker and a walking stick.
“Two weeks ago the council told me the lift would be going back on, but it still hasn’t.
“It’s OK for the young folk as they can take the stairs, but I haven’t been out of this flat for over six weeks.
“I’m doing all my shopping online so I’m fine for food, but my 75-year-old dad is having to go and get my prescriptions for me and I’ve missed two Ninewells appointments.”
Thomas became disabled after a workplace accident in 2005 when he was hit by a truck and narrowly avoided being crushed against a wall.
His leg was partly severed, meaning he was no longer able to work and developed long-term mobility problems, as well as mental health issues.
Thomas said that the council did offer him alternative accommodation in Broughty Ferry, but he was unable to take it as he has no support network there.
He added: “The problem is that I also have a psychiatric illness, which makes it very difficult to be in unfamiliar surroundings.
“I don’t know anyone in Broughty Ferry and I need to have someone with me when I go out, so I rely on friends and family who live nearby.”
A Dundee City Council spokesman said: “We are now in a position to offer an alternative lift service to the tenant.
“In the meantime we will be discussing this with him directly.”
