Hundreds of Ancoats residents have been left without heating and hot water for more than a week.
People living in the 142 flats in the Chips building, on Lampwick Lane, have faced sub-zero temperatures without hot water and central heating since New Year’s Day, when basement flooding ‘overwhelmed the infrastructure’ and ‘destroyed key equipment’.
Residents are now relying on electric or oil-fuelled heaters to stave off the icy conditions, with one pensioner sleeping in a ‘hat, scarf and gloves’.
“It’s archaic. It’s ridiculous,” added Eric Stone, 77, who bought his flat nine-years-ago. “It’s five or six below. It’s freezing outside and like an ice box without heating. I am having to boil the kettle to wash.”
Other residents have decided to leave their homes, with one staying with family 50 miles away on Merseyside.
“I’m having to shower at work or go to the gym to shower,” said the 26-year-old, who shares a £1,900-per-month flat with two friends. “In terms of temperature, last night was the worst it has been. I have woken up really ill.”
The plant room flooded during recent severe weather
Another renter, who pays £1,700 monthly, is also ‘showering at the gym or at work’. The 39-year-old added: “I have a heated throw to wrap around myself. It has been difficult.
“It’s not like I could take myself out for a walk because it’s icy. I think I will have to get a hotel for the weekend because it’s getting to -7C and that’s miserable. It’s a practical solution I have access to but many don’t.”
While residents say there doesn’t seem to be a fix coming in the immediate future, one landlord who owns a property in the building has called for more support from RMG, which runs the block. He said: “They said they would provide a heater. What about the hot water? People cannot shower or have a hot wash.”
Ancoats and Beswick councillor Chris Northwood has also called on management to replace the Chips’ communal heat network, which means residents cannot change energy supplier.
She said: “The building owners need to fix it once and for all, without ripping off residents with huge repair charges for getting the basics they expect.”
It is understood Manchester council is aware and monitoring the situation. An RMG spokesperson said the firm has drained floodwaters from the plant room, dried out electrical systems, and assessed the damage of boilers, pressurised units, water pumps, and alarm systems.
They added: “RMG totally sympathises with the terrible position the Chips’ residents face following the plant room’s flooding.
The flooded plant room
“We have been working with contracted specialists to complete this extensive repair effort since the incident on New Year’s Day, with work due to be completed today.
“The high rainfall and severe flooding overwhelmed the infrastructure around the Chips building, submerging the building’s plant room and destroying key equipment that provided hot water and heating to the residents.
“Engineers have been on site since the incident. RMG appointed two independent specialist companies to assess the contractor’s solution. Both agreed the project plan was correct and no short-term solutions were possible. We continue to work with the specialist engineers on site as all new plant equipment is being installed in the dried-out and repaired plant room and expect work to be completed today.
“RMG’s 24/7 team has been providing updates on the work throughout via the Customer portal, on-site digital notice board, and RMG personnel on the development. We also sourced individual heaters for all residents when it was clear no short-term solution could be found. As this building is solely funded by residents, any out-of-pocket expenses residents incur will need to be decided by the management company.”