North Woolwich pensioner left in freezing conditions for two weeks

Bill Webb, 70, is a council tenant who has gone without heating and hot water for two weeks since his boiler failed to work

by Melissa York, Reporter Wednesday, January 23, 2013
3:00 PM

One pensioner has felt especially left out in the cold after he was left shivering in his flat for two weeks without heating or hot water.

Bill Webb, 70, just recovered from the flu when his boiler broke in his 17th floor flat at Queensland House, North Woolwich.

Council maintenance contractors Carillion sent enginners round to the residence in Rymill St but Bill claims they needed an extra part to fix it.

Bill, who also suffers from chest pain due to his angina, says he was left with one electric heater that he carries from room to room.

He also has to boil water from his kettle to wash but it cools down quickly in his freezing flat.

Bill said: “I have been sleeping on the settee because it seems to be a little bit warmer on there.

“I feel like I have been fobbed off but at the end of the day I am a council tenant and I can’t get no satisfaction.

“It’s not just me, there are several others waiting on parts like me.

“I’m not the only poor bugger in this position.”

Carillion failed to respond to our request for a comment.

A Newham Council spokesperson said: “The fault with this boiler was reported to Carillion on 10 January and they attended the same day. Parts had to be ordered and they are due for delivery and fitting on Tuesday (22 Jan).

“Carillion left an electrical heater with the resident, which is normal when a boiler cannot be repaired immediately. “ “Where residents are elderly or need extra support we would normally provide additional heaters, but we had not been notified of the circumstances of this resident until being informed by the Recorder.”