A Motherwell councillor has called for urgent progress to be made on improvement works to the lifts at four towerblocks.
Work to replace the lifts at the tower blocks of Merryton, Dalziel, Shields and Grange in Muirhouse started on March 15 and was initially scheduled to be completed on June 28.
However, this week Councillor Nathan Wilson confirmed that problems with the work means the lifts are not expected to be back in operation until September 23.
The delay means the expected timescale for completion of the works has doubled and the lifts for the odd numbered properties will have been unavailable to residents for six months.
The lifts serving the even numbered flats at each of the towers will also be replaced but this work will not commence until the new lifts for the odd properties are fully installed.
Councillor Wilson told Lanarkshire Live : “It’s vital the lift replacement works for the odd numbered properties at Merryton, Dalziel, Shields and Grange towers is prioritised so there are no further postponements to the completion of the project.
“A period of six months where one of the lifts has not been functioning is a very long time for residents and it’s disappointing the works were not finished on schedule.
“Concerns have been raised with me about the possible negative impact of the delay on the everyday lives and wellbeing of residents and particularly for those who are elderly because of the lengthy period the odd lifts have been unavailable to leave or enter the building.
“There must now be a strong focus on ensuring the safe completion of the works and to avoid the lifts remaining out of operation beyond the end of September.
“A key consequence of this delay is that the equivalent lift replacement works for the even numbered properties at the towers did not begin in July as planned and it’s important that a further postponement of the second part of the initiative does not materialise.”
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