Housing secretary hears Raac resident concerns.
Màiri McAllan, the housing secretary, has attended her first face-to-face meetings with several Aberdeen people whose homes are scheduled to be demolished due to the presence of potentially harmful concrete.
Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) is used in around 500 homes in the city’s Balnagask neighbourhood.
McAllan met privately with some Aberdeen citizens and councillors on Wednesday afternoon.
People eventually exchanged angry words outside with the local authority’s co-leaders, Christian Allard and Ian Yuill.
Earlier this month, the Scottish government agreed to a £10 million funding deal with Aberdeen City Council (ACC) to help people.
Homeowners who have been touched are waiting to learn how the money will be used.
Many people are outraged with ACC’s bids for their properties, claiming they will lose tens of thousands of pounds.
The housing secretary told BBC Scotland News that she was “really pleased” with the “valuable opportunity” to hold the talks.
When asked about how the money will be spent, she replied, “So we’ve now made that money accessible to ACC. “It will be available for Raac, but the question of how it is used is up to the city council.
“But the value of today was that homeowners got to make representations to the council about what they would like to see happen to it.” She said that she anticipated to see progress in “weeks, not months”.
What is Raac?
Raac refers to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. It is a lightweight material that was mostly utilised in flat roofing but also in floors and walls during the 1950s and 1990s.
It is less expensive than conventional concrete, faster to create, and easier to install. It has an aerated or “bubbly” texture, similar to an Aero chocolate bar. However, it is less durable, with a lifespan of approximately 30 years.
Its structural behaviour differs greatly from that of typical reinforced concrete. Furthermore, moisture might cause structural failure. The bubbles may allow water to infiltrate the substance.
Raac is frequently coated with another substance, such as bitumen for roofing panels. However, this substance can decay.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) stated that Raac has reached the end of its useful life and may “collapse with little or no notice”. More about this story.
Campaigners call for Raac support fund to be ‘ring-fenced’
Aberdeen City Council receives Raac cash support. Demolition of Raac properties is due to begin.
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