Big freeze - big sleep - Dartmouth Park Hill pensioners take to beds as heating put out of action

Published: 17 February 2011
by JOSIE HINTON

ELDERLY residents of council flats in Highgate have been left without heating or hot water for three weeks.

People living in the Dartmouth Park Hill flats have been forced to endure freezing conditions after leaks in underground pipes put heating out of action. Alternatively, the residents – many elderly and disabled – face hefty electric bills for temporary heaters supplied by Camden Council. 

Elsie Garrison, 92, who lives alone, said she has been struggling to stay warm even in bed. “To warm me up in bed I have been using two hot water bottles but since I had chemotherapy the movement in my hands has started to go, so I have trouble screwing on the cap,” she said. “One of the bottles leaked on my bed and without heating it has not dried so it’s been very unpleasant.”

Rose Silverman, 76, who has lived in her flat for 25 years, added: “The heaters cost a fortune so I have been just staying in bed to keep warm.”

A council spokeswoman said changes in temperature had caused underground water pipes, over 30 years old, to expand and contract, resulting in leaks. “Much of the pipework is located under reinforced concrete, which makes it difficult to immediately locate the leaks,” she added. “However, we are doing everything we can to remedy the situation as quickly as possible.”

Pictured: Elsie Garrison, 92, with hot water bottle.