New lifts on the way for Hackney Council housing blocks

The 41 worst lifts in Hackney Council housing blocks are to be replaced or renewed under the first phase of a £24million three-year programme starting in June.

The first phase of the programme is due to be completed by February 2027, after which two more rounds will be carried out with a total of 120 of the worst performing lifts in Council blocks across the borough being renewed or replaced by the end of March 2029.  

This investment will help improve the reliability of lifts and the quality of life for residents living in those blocks.

The Council’s Housing Service is responsible for 615 lifts, and while most are reliable there are a number that break down and can be out of order for long periods of time. This can have huge impacts on residents, from not being able to go out to struggling with shopping to missing vital appointments.

Following an in-depth assessment of all the lifts which includes age, number of breakdowns and overall performance. The first phase of replacing or renewing the worst lifts will launch in June and be completed by the end of February 2027. 

The 41 lifts in phase one are:

• 1-29 Balmoral House
• 161-185, 186-210, 211-236 and 236-260 Banister House
• 1-54 Barbrook House
• 1-25 Catesby House
• 168-174 Evering Road
• 1-35 Fulke House
• 1-25 Hayward House
• 1-29 Holyrood House
• 1-35 Hunsden House  
• Both lifts at 1-90 Lancresse
• 1-17,  18-32, 33-46 and 48-57 Nevitt House
• 53-98 Nye Bevan
• Both lifts at 1-93 Pitcarin House
• Both lifts at 1-90 Portelet Court
• 1-19 and 20-29 Nisbet House
• Both lifts at 1-54 Rosedale House
• 25-103, 82-160 and 162-240 Rowley Gardens 
• Both lifts at Rozel Court
• Both lifts at 1-20 Sheridan House
• Both lifts at 49-99 The Mount 
• 1-24 Vanbrugh House
• 1-30 and 55-90 Wenlock Court 
• Both lifts at 1-94 Woolridge Way

Cllr Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet member for Housing Management and Regeneration, said: “Living in a Council owned block where there are constant problems with lifts is as annoying as it is inconvenient and for some residents it means they are trapped in their home with the options of either not going out or having to face a struggle up and down staircases.

“The vast majority of the Council's 615 lifts are reliable, but not all are. This £24million programme will ensure that the 120 worst lifts are either renewed or replaced. Phase one will target 41 of the most unreliable lifts.

“This is part of Hackney Council's commitment to invest into its homes and estates and it will go some way in improving the quality of life for those residents who have had to live with broken lifts.”

Residents living in the blocks where the lifts will be replaced or renewed will be kept informed ahead of the work starting to inform them of arrangements to support them while the works will be carried out.