Look up how much money the authorities have designated to replace just one school roof in England – £1.9m. This decision follows their finding of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), a building material that poses a serious threat to safety. This funding directly responds to growing concerns regarding the long-term durability and structural integrity of a pervasively used construction material. Unfortunately, that material was used widely from the 1950s through the 1990s.
The education sector has been scarred across the use of RAAC. More than 200 schools in England have been identified as containing this very hazardous material. As safety experts have been sounding the alarm, RAAC just doesn’t last—its lifespan averages around 30 years. It is particularly susceptible to structural failure when it leeches with moisture. That delay will only increase deterioration and could contribute to more dangerous safety failures if not acted upon quickly.
Shirley Reynolds, the education portfolio holder. She is deeply committed to protecting the safety of all students and staff at the impacted school. She stressed the life-saving importance of this safety work. What’s more, it plays a vital role in providing students a safe learning environment.
As construction traffic starts to converge on the site, Reynolds said there will be a few bothersome things for surrounding residents. She urged them to “bear with us while we carry out this essential safety work.” While there will be new low-level disruption from the construction process, the council is making a concerted effort to reduce the inconvenience.
