Here is today's update from the safer neighbourhoods team about the problem at night in the square - the paper itself is still in the lobby. Until it's ok to use live rounds and sniper rifles this is our best option for getting a good night's sleep over the next few months! Those of you with bedrooms at the rear of the building are fortunate to not be affected by this annual problem...

As those of you in the block will obviously have noticed, we no longer have sauna temperatures in the stairwell! Since nobody knows about the workings of the lift, maybe this temperature change has been responsible for the big reduction in the lift scrapings as well...

Just a quick email to update on a few things:

• As nobody has claimed the stuff in the cupboard, we'll be throwing it out over the next few days.
  
• I'm still in discussions about the lights in the lift. but half of them are still on so this should be ok while this pans out.
  
• The same applies to the scraping sounds you hear in the lift between the ground and third floors. 
  
• I've let the hospital know that conditions in the stairwell are tropical right now, and asked them to turn the heat down! 
  

Any questions etc, let me know, otherwise I'll let you know when there's any updates.

"Um, I think I left my shredder". Nope, that's not there! If anyone wants a water filter, or a few other kitchen utensils, they are also there in the cleaner's cupboard.

Doesn't look like anybody is keen on this stuff...

On a separate note, I will get the lift company to head out to check up on the 6-monthly scraping between the ground and 3rd floors.

Does anyone know about the stuff in the foyer and the cupboard on the ground floor? In the foyer is a really large wooden shelf/table top. In the cleaner's/recycling cupboard are all sorts of things, an ironing board, lots of wooden slats, and other things too. 

Can anyone lay claim to this? If not, anyone can grab things they want and we can put out as much as possible with the recycling. Don't do this yet of course, let's see if it belongs to someone!

Will update on the lift when I have some further details.

To end a successful week of getting things going again, the heating in the stairwell is now fixed as well as the lift! 
I know that there's a problem with half of the lights inside the lift itself, will update on this next week when I know more.

Oh my goodness, the lift is now working!  Apparently the replacement parts along with some programming fixed the problem. Hey Presto! Going up....

The lift specialist is due tomorrow mid-morning, so hopefully it will be up and running some time after that!
I am continuing to chase to get the stairwell heating fixed, hopefully this will be done sooner rather than later.

The specialist technician will be here next Wednesday morning, 12 January. Let's hope he can get it moving again!
Something happened with the stairwell heating today - it was on this afternoon, but had gone off again by tonight. I'll see what happens in the morning and get back in touch with the hospital at that point.

The specialist we're waiting for help from has finally got in touch with Axis Elevators, and will be here next week. I'll pass on the day as soon as I know when it is...

Today's lift update...is no update! Despite emails and calls I haven't got word of any progress. I'll be getting some tomorrow for certain though!
The hospital are looking in to the stairwell heating.

Hope everyone's had a good new year. I've already got emails in place chasing for a lift update, and will be calling for further info in the morning. I've also been in touch with the hospital to sort out the heating in the stairwell.
Will keep you all posted...

Chased Axis today but didn't get an update. I also got a mail from Barry Wilkins along the same lines. Will see if I can get anything out of Axis tomorrow..

Unfortunately I didn't get a call or email this afternoon so don't know when the specialist technician will make it to the block. Will chase on the 29th...
Happy xmas!

Davis Brown are now shut until 4 Jan, so I spoke to Ian at the lift company directly. He was very helpful, and is hopeful that when this technician can visit, the lift will get going again - they are trying to get him in today but not sure if that will happen.
He is calling me later with an update which I will pass on. Axis are working all days aside from the bank holidays over this period.

Not an entirely successful day! The lift is still not working, and I don't have a status from the end of the day, despite chasing for it twice.
However, I did speak to the two lift engineers who were here this morning. They said without the diagram they were having problems getting the lift moving again with the new transistors in place. Since this lift company took over the maintenance in 2007, they have never had this diagram, and the company in France doesn't keep documents that are over 10 years old. Unfortunately the lift was installed about 15 years ago, and there's only 1 person in the manufacturers in France who speaks English.
I suggested to Barry Wilkins in a voicemail that the previous company who looked after the lift company may have the diagram, and asked why this maintenance company didn't try to get one 3 years ago. In any case, I haven't got the answers to these questions, or the lowdown on what the actual state of play is.
I'll drop round an update tomorrow after I have got one - if Barry's not around I'll just call the lift company directly.

The good news: the lift man rocked up today and fitted the new parts. The bad news: it still isn't working :( Apparently, an electric diagram they need to get it going again isn't here - the lift lot don't know where it's gone!
So, another engineer is coming back tomorrow to see if he can get it going. They also asked the manufacturer in France to locate the diagram - I asked them (on Rebecca's suggestion) to fax or email it tomorrow so we can get going. Or just be on the phone!
I'll talk to Barry in the morning and let you know if we finally get going again...

Good news! Parts will arrive via courier with the lift company today, and they'll fit them tomorrow :) This will get the lift moving again and also check to ensure that the emergency call function works as it should.

Quick update: parts are at the docks in the uk. The lift company guy is committed to fixing this before xmas and may go and get them himself. Out for the weekend tho...

Unfortunately, the transistors to get the lift going again have still not arrived as of 4pm today. They were ordered last Wednesday with an alleged 5 day delivery time, but clearly that hasn't turned out to be the case. I'll let you know what the latest is tomorrow.

Actually, one of the hospital team has to look at this again tomorrow - something about possibly having to turn the hot water off to do this. This wouldn't be the hot water in the flats obviously, but let's see how things progress tomorrow.

The fuse has now been replaced, so we should be getting warm air in the stairwell now. 

The parts to fix the lift have been ordered from France, and should arrive in the next day or two. Once they are here, they will be fitted and that should get the lift moving once again.
I have also got in touch with the hospital to find out when the fuse will be replaced for the air system in the stairwell. The fuse for the heater was taken to get the water pumps running, but this has made the stairwells - and hence the air coming in to our flats under the doors - cold once more. Given temperatures are meant to plummet at the weekend once more, the hospital are looking at replacing the fuse and will let me know when this is fixed up.

The lift needs new transistors in order to get going again. These can only be bought from France where the manufacturer is based, and have a 5 day delivery time. They cost more than the limit the managing agent can spend without authorisation from the landlord, and things are currently paused waiting for this to come through. The owners are also considering whether there are other options available.