Council chamber to remain closed for repairs

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was found in the roof of the Civic Centre in Wolverhampton

A council chamber will remain closed until November as work is carried out to remove crumbling concrete from the building.

The presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was discovered in a small area of the roof of the Civic Centre in Wolverhampton earlier this year.

The repairs started towards the end of July and are expected to be finished in November, City of Wolverhampton Council said.

While day-to-day operations at the Civic Centre could continue, the authority said the council chamber would be off limits until the work was done.

A council spokesperson said health and safety officers confirmed there was no risk to anyone as a result of the Raac found in the building.

They said alternative venues were being considered for the full council meetings scheduled to take place in the chamber, including the one on 18 September.

Raac is a lightweight material that was mostly used in flat roofing between the 1950s and 1990s.

It is a cheaper alternative to standard concrete but is less durable and has a lifespan of about 30 years.

More than 200 schools and colleges were reported to have Raac in parts of their buildings, according to a government report.