A woman says her 85-year-old dad has been a “prisoner in his own home” for more than a week, after the lifts in his block of flats broke.

Deborah Wallbank says she is worried for the safety of her dad, James Orrell, who is living at the St Albans Court in Blackburn, as he is physically unable to walk up or down the stairs due to his age and various health issues.

Together Housing, which manages the flats, says the lift has been out of action since April 7, due to significant water damage to the lifts. Repair works are set to be completed by April 17, it added.

Deborah, from West Bradford in the Ribble Valley, said: “My dad has not left the house since April 7.

Lancashire Telegraph: St Alban's Court, where James livesSt Alban's Court, where James lives (Image: Google)

“I am so aggrieved by it and think it’s wrong on every level. There just doesn’t seem to be any urgency to get it fixed.

“A lot of people living here are over 55, and a lot of people struggle to get up and down the steps.

“On every level of health and safety, surely this cannot be right. My dad and his partner are paying to live there and I want to know what is going to be done to reimburse.”

Deborah says her dad’s age and previous triple heart bypass surgery make it impossible for him to get down 10 flights of stairs.

James also has glaucoma, a condition that affects his vision, and Deborah says his general mobility has declined since becoming inactive during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lancashire Telegraph: James Orrell James Orrell (Image: Deborah Wallbank)

She said: “There is no way he could get down the stairs by himself.

"We tried at Christmas and I was so petrified that he was going to fall, even with my assistance.

“There is absolutely no chance he will get out of the building [until the lift is fixed], none at all.”

Deborah, who brings shopping to James and his partner, says she is concerned for her dad’s wellbeing.

She said: “As his daughter, I am extremely worried. It’s not acceptable that they have to live up there with no way of getting down.

“They are prisoners in their own home and they are trapped.

“It is affecting his mental health a little bit as he has been cooped up there for days. I think he is anxious about why the lifts aren’t working and if this was due to a security issue.”

Together Housing has called and issued residents with a letter, but Deborah is asking Together Housing to be more communicative.

She said: “The lift may be mended on Wednesday or Thursday but this whole process has not been good enough and the way this has been dealt with has been horrendous.

“I feel like nobody is interested despite all of the calls and complaints I have made. There’s no sense of urgency.

“I want to know why it is taking so long for something so essential to get fixed.”

Elaine Armitage, assistant director of people and property safety for Together Housing, said: “Unfortunately the lift at St Albans Court was damaged on April 7 due to the sprinkler system being activated.

"We are very sorry for the inconvenience this has caused our residents.

“We have kept in regular communication with all residents and where wellbeing needs have been identified we have been assisting them.

"The water caused significant damage to the lift and we had to wait for parts to be available to repair the damage.

“Based on the information we have been given from the contractor repairing the lift, the work should be completed by April 17 and the lift back in order.”