Repairs to Leighton Buzzard's multi-storey car park lift start on Monday

The lift is understood to have been damaged for over six months – meaning the elderly, disabled, and families with prams face a walk round the car ramps or a tricky climb of the stairs.

Meanwhile, people have been questioning why it was damaged – and why it has taken so long to be repaired.

Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) says that the damage was due to vandalism and has confirmed that a lift contractor will be on site from September 7.

Leighton Buzzard resident Neil Cairns, 80, told the LBO that his wife struggled to manage the stairs.

He said: "I have to drop my wife off at the bottom to wait for me. I drive to the top and come down the stairs – but I'm not young, either.

"I see little old ladies half way up, puffing away.

"It's been like it for ages, and ages, and ages. We've all been moaning about it.

"The rumour was that it had been damaged by young kids smashing it up."

And Neil claimed that residents were not impressed by just how long it was taking to fix.

He told the LBO: "Either the council haven't got the money – or Leighton Buzzard is a long way from Chicksands, and they just forget."

Cllr Steven Watkins, executive member for business, housing and public assets at CBC, said: "Following anti-social behaviour at Leighton multi-storey car park, the public lift was significantly damaged and requires full refurbishment.

"The replacement parts were ordered some time ago, and the lift contractor will be on site from September 7 to carry out the refurbishment work.

"The works are expected to take around four weeks to complete.

"We apologise for the disruption and thank users for their patience.

"Alternative car parks are available across Leighton Buzzard, with details on the council's website."

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