Brunswick estate tenants left freezing in flats as upgraded heating breaks down - multiple pump failure at Foundling Court site

Published: 13 January 2011
by JAMES LACHNO

FREEZING residents on the Brunswick estate in Bloomsbury were forced to spend three days with only emergency heaters in their homes.

Tenants said they were left shivering during the wait for spare parts to fix a pump failure at Foundling Court, near Russell Square.

The breakdown came just two years after the 360-flat block’s heating systems were upgraded.

“That is why people are concerned,” said Adrian Friend, co-chairman of Brunswick Tenants’ and Residents’ Association. “It shouldn’t break down after such a short time, and in the middle of the coldest winter for 100 years.”

He added that the electrical heaters provided by the council were inadequate. “People were offered blow-air heaters, which would just warm your feet,” he said. It was also unfair on elderly tenants who might not be able to afford the extra electricity costs, Mr Friend added. 

Anne Barfield, who has lived at Foundling Court for 37 years, said: “You really had to wrap up warm because we’ve got lots of windows in these blocks. Apart from being freezing cold, if you can’t shower or wash your hair it’s dreadful.”

A council press official said: “We have successfully reinstated the heating supply to Foundling Court following a multiple pump failure. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the disruption.”