Brigade to lift rescue 13 times

ALMOST 30 people have had to be rescued from a faulty lift in Cardiff’s Old Library, figures have revealed.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed it has been called to the library on 13 separate occasions, and released 28 people from the lift.

That includes 19 people being reported as “trapped” or “rescued” over a two-year period in eight of the incidents at the building, which houses the Welsh Cultural Centre, the Tourist Information Centre and the Cardiff Story Museum.

The lift had been out of order for around eight months until it was finally reopened last week.

Cardiff council has apologised for any inconvenience caused by the failing lift.

A council spokesman said: “The council has carried out several repairs to this lift over a period of time including a deep clean of the hydraulics which was recommended and carried out in January.

“Unfortunately these repairs failed to fix the underlying problems and following further professional advice, the council tendered for a full replacement of key elements of the lift plant.

“The building is listed and these parts had to be specially-designed and built to meet the specification.

“Unfortunately this took longer than anticipated. The new elevator parts have now been fitted and the lift is functioning as it should.

“We apologise for any inconvenience experienced.”

Incidents where the fire service had been called to the Old Library lift stretch back to March 2012.

But most of the call-outs were between April 2016 and the end of June 2017.

Eight people had to be rescued in just one incident in April 2016, figures from the fire service show.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service declined to comment.