‘It is horrendous’: Residents on a York estate stuck without heating and hot water

Residents on a York housing estate have been left without heating and hot water during the coldest month of the year.

People on the Derwenthorpe Housing Estate say they are freezing after their heating system failed – and are fed up with excuses.

The estate, a mix of private and rented homes, is managed by the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT).

JRHT have apologised saying they are “very concerned about this interruption to service and the impact on Derwenthorpe residents”.

A separate company provides hot water and heating to the properties via common site boilers.

Residents, Charlotte, Amy and Beverley have been telling YorkMix Radio that breakdowns are common.

Charlotte said: “It is horrendous. Both my kids are ill and yesterday we’d been out I just wanted to get home and get the kids into a hot bath to warm up I couldn’t.

“I am sat here with millions of layers on just to try and keep warm and the same for the kids.”

Told to pay for a shower

Amy is an ambulance worker and she says she’s paid for the service and expects to get it. She said she needs to have a good hot shower when she gets off shift and hasn’t been able to get a decent one for ages.

“It’s just frustrating we’re not we’re not getting what we’re paying for.”

Beverley said: “The weekend has been terrible. It’s been so cold and you call JRHT up and they tell you to go to the Sports Village and pay two pounds for a shower!”

Another householder said on Facebook: “OK this is getting ridiculous now. I see others saying hot water is back on, get excited to finally run a bath for me and my daughter, for it to run hot for ten seconds and go cold again.

“Been fighting the urge to boil the kettle for three days as that will go through an extortionate amount of electricity!

“Needs must now I actually feel horrible.

“Five kettle boils later and four big pans of water and my bath is probably about half way ready to jump in. Will probs be lukewarm again within five minutes of getting in.” 

‘Very concerned’

Veolia are responsible for supplying heating and hot water to residents in Derwenthorpe through a central district heating system which is powered by gas and biomass boilers. This is through a contract with JRHT.

This is what JRHT has published on its Facebook page:

Veolia have informed JRHT that;

• Any resident who is having a problem with heat or hot water should contact Veolia to report on 0345 0781154 or via [email protected]
• Veolia are obliged to assist vulnerable residents with alternative heating
• An emergency boiler is being installed in Derwenthorpe on Tuesday 13th December which is aimed at providing additional capacity to the system.

JRHT are very concerned about this interruption to service and the impact on Derwenthorpe residents. JRHT also expect that Veolia respond in a timely and effective way to all residents’ enquiries.

JRHT would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience experienced.