Housing Association is committed to fix gate

Betty Cook outside the gate at Harbour Tower that knocked her over and broke her pelvis

Picture: Will Rooney — Betty Cook outside the gate at Harbour Tower that knocked her over and broke her pelvis Picture: Will Rooney

As reported by The News, a number of residents of Harbour Tower in Gosport have struggled opening the gate to enter their property.

Betty Cook, 89, was knocked over by it and broke her pelvis and spent three weeks in hospital.

Mrs Cook spent three weeks in Queen Alexandra Hospital recovering from her injuries and a further three weeks in rehabilitation.

Owner the Hyde Group then changed the gate to a much heavier one, making elderly residents’ struggles much worse but the company insist it is for the best.

Corinne Waterford, head of housing for the Hyde Group, said: ‘We were extremely sorry to hear of the incidents that have occurred at Harbour Towers and for the injury suffered by Mrs Cook.

‘The existing gate was installed by previous owners following consultation with the local residents who were in full support and very vocal that the gates should remain in place.

‘More recently we fitted a mechanical device as a safety measure to prevent the gate from catching in the wind. We take the health and safety of our residents extremely seriously and maintain regular inspections of the gates as part of our estate plan.

‘We are sorry to hear that this is causing further issues for our residents and are committed to working with them to find a solution.’