School Raac removal cost could run to nearly £1m

Northfield Academy was found to have an "extensive" amount of Raac

Removing reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) from an Aberdeen secondary school would cost about £900,000, according to a council report.

Aberdeen City Council officers have found Northfield Academy has an "extensive" amount of the potentially dangerous material.

The repair costs are not budgeted for and do not include the financial impact of moving pupils during the work.

The report said consideration also needed to be given to the school's long-term future - with options to be discussed later this year in a new school estates plan.

The city council's Education and Children's Services Committee will discuss the situation on 20 February.

Raac was found in two other Aberdeen schools last summer.

A temporary structure has been installed at St Machar Academy and the affected area will be permanently repaired when a replacement roof is installed.

Hazlehead Academy is due to be replaced and the Raac there will be monitored in the meantime.

Raac is a lightweight material which was used mostly in flat roofing, but also in floors and walls, between the 1950s and 1990s.

It is a cheaper alternative to standard concrete and is quicker to produce and easier to install.

Experts say a wide range of public buildings have been constructed using the material and could now be at risk of collapse.