Unsafe concrete surveys continue on city buildings

Surveys to assess the presence of unsafe concrete in council houses and public buildings are continuing, Sheffield Council has said.

The inspections were launched following warnings about the potential dangers of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) in 2023.

Raac was used mostly in flat roofing - but also in floors and walls - between the 1950s and 1990s and was considered a cheaper alternative to standard concrete but was found to be used beyond its 30-year lifespan in many buildings.

Nearly 60% of Sheffield's 37,620 council homes have been inspected so far, a council spokesperson said, and Raac has not been discovered in any of them.

The authority said all council homes should have been surveyed by spring 2027.

The Health and Safety Executive warned Raac was beyond its 30-year lifespan and may "collapse with little or no notice" prompting Sheffield Council and other authorities nationwide to start thousands of inspections.

Raac was only found at Abbey Lane primary school - no other school operated by Sheffield Council was found to have the material within its building.

Abbey Lane had the material removed in 2024 at a cost of £620,000.

All other council-owned buildings have been assessed and no Raac has been identified to date.

There are 13 properties which will have a follow up survey, due to areas being difficult to access, and they are part of an ongoing survey programme, the council said.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North