Tenants don coats and duvets to beat the big (indoor) freeze - Boiler breakdown leaves Holborn council block in the cold

Published: 03 February 2011
by JOSIE HINTON

HUNDREDS of tenants in three Holborn council blocks have been left without heating or hot water for a month.

Residents of Blemundsbury, Windmill and Springwater blocks, in Harpur Street, have been forced to endure the cold or face huge electric bills since their heating went off four weeks ago.

It is the third time in two months the blocks have been left in sub-zero temperatures after a previous two-week breakdown during the coldest December in 25 years.

Kenny Staggs, who lives in Blemundsbury, has been forced to spend about £50 on electricity for a temporary heater in one room of his flat. “It costs a fortune and it’s still freezing,” he said.

Families spent Christmas Day and Boxing Day without heat before it was briefly restored, only to go off again at the beginning of the year.

Linda Smith, who represents residents in the block, said: “It has been terrible. We got one letter about three weeks ago telling us they were waiting for a part, but since then we’ve had no information. In the flat you might as well be outside. It is freezing. 

“People are sending their children to live with relatives because it’s too cold for them and we have a lot of elderly people here.”

Peggy Smith, 86, who has lived in the block for 29 years, added: “I’ve been sitting with everything wrapped around me and a hot water bottle. I’m scared to open the door in case I let any of the heat out.”

And Carol Mardon, who represents tenants in Springwater, said: “My granddaughter has been sent home from school with a cold. 

“We are all ill. I suffer with arthritis and I can barely move with the cold.”

Other residents said they had been wearing winter coats indoors and had been forced to wrap up in blankets and duvets to keep warm. 

Some said they had been staying in bed as much as possible to avoid ill health.

A Camden Council spokeswoman said the problems had been caused by a defective boiler, which has left only one functioning boiler supplying a very low level of heating to some flats.

She added: “Residents who have no heating and hot water at all are asked to call our repairs contact centre and we will be able to restore partial heating and hot water.

“We have written to residents twice to explain what is happening and to offer temporary heaters to those who would like them.”  

She added: “We are very sorry for the inconvenience that is being caused and are doing everything to resolve the situation as soon as possible.”

The repairs centre can be contacted on 0207 974 1212.