Barking is home to London’s most unreliable lift, according to the London Fire Brigade – which has had to rescue people from it no fewer than 22 times in 12 months.

The ageing shafts in Earlsdown House, in Wheelers Cross, elevate the building to the top of the brigade’s list, published today, of repeat offenders for non-urgent lift callouts.

Paul Trew, Barking and Dagenham’s fire brigade borough commander, said: “The number of non-urgent lift rescue call outs is far too high, which takes resources away from genuine emergencies.

“Earlsdown House is due for demolition so investment in new lifts is not economically viable. We’ve been working closely with the local council and it’s taking positive steps to ask residents to call the council’s 24-hour emergency lift service rather than contacting the brigade.”

A spokesman for Barking and Dagenham Council added: “Since 2012, we have been working with our contractors and the London Fire Brigade to raise awareness on the impact and cost to the council and the London Fire Brigade of improperly reported lift breakdowns to the fire service.”

Firefighters attend 13 non-urgent lift call outs every day – nearly 5,000 a year. These are calls when a person is shut in a lift but not in any immediate physical or medical danger.

The brigade started recovering costs for non-emergency call-outs in 2009. While lift releases have decreased since the charges were introduced, chiefs say they must still spend time and money chasing building owners who have yet to pay their “shut in lifts” bills. The brigade claims it is owed nearly £250,000 in unpaid charges.

Have you been trapped in a lift at Earlsdown House? We want to hear about your experience. Get in touch: 020 8477 3879.

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