Residents Trapped in Balfron Tower Amid Ongoing Lift Failures

Residents of Balfron Tower in Poplar, East London, have been confined to their homes for over a week due to both lifts in the 26-storey building being out of service. The situation has severely impacted individuals with disabilities and mobility issues, who are unable to navigate the stairs to access essential services.
Peter Yu, a 58-year-old resident with spinal injuries, has been unable to leave his 15th-floor apartment since the lifts failed. He expressed concerns about the lack of emergency preparedness, stating, "What if there is a fire? What if I have a heart attack? Who will come and get me? Lives are at stake here."
Similarly, 22-year-old student Vasundhara Gupte, recovering from a hamstring injury, has found it challenging to attend her university lectures due to the inaccessibility of her flat. She remarked on the difficulty of climbing 15 flights of stairs and questioned the effectiveness of her recovery efforts.

The building's management company, Way of Life, has acknowledged the issue and stated they are working to restore lift services promptly. They have also mentioned offering increased support to residents, particularly those with additional needs.