Warndon man finally given shower by Platform Housing

We previously reported how Richard Kyte, who lives in Crickley Drive, Warndon, had been told by Platform Housing he could not have a shower installed in his bathroom until 2036.

However, when the Worcester News intervened, Platform relented and installed his shower in late-September.

The 43 year-old, who is over six-feet tall, wanted a shower because the bath his flat came with was not suitable with wanting to save water and the risk of falling while getting out.

With the pressures of the cost of living crisis, he also said he wanted to save as much water as possible, with a shower proving far more efficient than a bath.

READ MORE: Housing association tells man he has to wait 14 years for a shower

Ofwat says more should be done to save water with utility bills set to skyrocket this winter.

One of their recommendations is to take showers instead of baths - with a standard five minute shower using about 40 litres of water.

It is roughly half the volume of a standard bath.

He said at the time: "I've been living here for 14 months and only have a little bath in here.

"I'm 6ft 3 so a shower is way more suitable, but Platform say I can't have one until 2036.

"By then I'll be 60 years old! I just don't get it.

SUCCESS: The new shower installed for Richard Kyte (Image: Richard Kyte)

"Fourteen years is just mad and I've been fobbed off by everyone I've gone to for help on this.

"We're being asked to save water and save energy, so surely a shower is better than a bath for that?"

After the Worcester News intervened, Platform's chief operations officer Marion Duffy confirmed the housing provider had been in contact with Mr Kyte to arrange a new shower installation.

The reason for the delay, Platform said, was because at a previous inspection in 2021, no issues had been found so another routine check was not scheduled for another 15 years.