A DISABLED woman feels like she has been “thrown back into lockdown” after being trapped in her home by a broken lift.

Wheelchair-bound Sharon Harris, 47, suffers from multiple sclerosis and relies on the lift to get out and about from her first floor flat.

She claims the lift in her assisted living complex, Westwood House, in Leigh, has been out of action for almost six weeks with no sign of repairs.

Residents were told yesterday it would be fixed in two weeks.

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However, Miss Harris remains furious that the lift was not fixed as a matter or urgency and feels like she has missed out on the summer.

She said: “It’s getting ridiculous now.

“I’m essentially back in lockdown again, just as Covid restrictions eased.

“I usually go and sit outside for a bit of fresh air, but I can’t even do that.

“Or I pop to the shops when the weather is nice, but I can’t get downstairs now.

“I can’t even see my friends outside either, we usually go and get some chips together.

“Other people can be helped down, but I would need to be hoisted.

“There’s another lift at the other side of the complex that is working, but nobody from our side can get over there.

“We keep being told it will be fixed and are given excuses, but nothing has happened yet.

Miss Harris, who requires carers to help her on a daily basis, hasn’t been able to leave her room in the time since the lift broke.

She added: “What happens if there’s an emergency or a fire?

“We would need to be evacuated, and I don’t see how you can do that without a lift.

“With the weather being so nice recently, it’s been even harder not being able to get out.

“It’s been really distressing for me and everyone else.

“It’s stopping people from getting out and it’s really not fair or good enough.”

The assisted living complex was rated “good” by the Care Quality Commission at it’s latest inspection in August 2019.

A spokesman from south Essex homes, said: "We are aware that the problems being experienced by residents at Westwood and understand the reliance our residents here have on the passenger lift.

"Unfortunately, due to the specialist nature of the lift and the high demands on its use many key safety elements of the lift now need replacing.

"This is taking some time to organise, with specialist safety parts being obtained from Europe. Consequently, with the safety of our residents being paramount, we had to decommission the lift.

"South Essex Homes and Southend Care have been working together to minimise the impact for residents.

"Once the parts have been delivered, we anticipate a period of 3 weeks to undertake the refurbishment works.

"In the meantime, we will continue to support residents during this difficult period for them and keep them advised of developments.’’