Reinforced Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (RAAC)

We are currently undertaking a survey across our entire property estate to identify the presence of Reinforced Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (RAAC). At this time it has been identified in five buildings and in line with guidance, precautionary works have been carried out.

Two schools, one community centre, an office building and one concert venue/theatre.

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight construction material that was used in the construction of some public buildings like schools and hospitals between the 1950s and 1990s. It was used mostly in flat roofing, but also in some pitched roofs, floors and walls.

It was quicker to produce, easier to install, and cheaper than standard concrete. Despite its name, it is very different to traditional concrete although it looks similar. It is aerated, or ‘bubbly’, and is therefore less durable than traditional concrete.

RAAC can be susceptible to failure when exposed to moisture. The ‘bubbles’ can allow water to enter the material. This moisture can also cause decay in any reinforcement steel (‘rebar’) present in the material.

In February 2022, a report was published by The Institution of Structural Engineers RAAC Group following an incident in England in 2018 and an initial safety alert in 2019. Guidance was published by the group in April 2023.

Following the publication of The Institution’s guidance, the council proactively engaged the services of an external specialist structural engineer to survey the council’s properties. To date, more than 400 properties have been surveyed covering schools, corporate buildings and community facilities. All schools have been inspected, with surveys of a very small number of other buildings being completed.

RAAC was identified in four: Ravenswood Primary School in Cumbernauld, the extension at Caldervale High School in Airdrie, Pivot Community Facility in Moodiesburn and Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre.

Ravenswood Primary School, Cumbernauld 

A £4m improvement work programme has been completed at Ravenswood Primary School and the refurbished school opened its doors to staff and pupils on 14 August 2026. 

Staff and pupils were decanted for a year to allow the entire roof to be replaced, which created the opportunity for a much greater level of refurbishment and modernisation including improved learning and teaching spaces. 

RAAC is now not an issue at this school. 

Pivot Community Facility

A programme of improvement works started in June 2026 at the Pivot Community Facility in Moodiesburn and at the library. Works have commenced on site to remove the RAAC panels in the roof area affected at the community centre.  The Pivot Centre is currently closed until this work is carried out and the library (which does not have any RAAC) has been relocated to a neighbouring school. 

Caldervale High School Extension

We have completed the demolition of the extension to the rear of Caldervale High School where RAAC was identified. Reinstatement works will continue with minimum disruption to the school community. 

RAAC is not present in the main building of the school.

Council Offices - 124 Main Street, Coatbridge

A decision has been made to demolish this building and options are ongoing to relocate tenants. 

Motherwell Theatre and Concert Hall

As part of our inspection of the Motherwell Theatre and Concert Hall complex in September 2023, RAAC was identified in 95 per cent of the roof area. A number of the RAAC panels showed damage including signs of water ingress that could weaken the load-bearing capacity of the roof.

The building has been closed since this date on safety grounds, with most of the programmed shows and performances relocated to Airdrie Town Hall, Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility and other venues.

We have explored all the options and have concluded that removal of the RAAC and replacing the roof would cost a minimum of between £10.5 and £11.65million and likely considerably more.

The concert hall and theatre have played a huge role in the cultural life of Motherwell and North Lanarkshire as a whole over many years. However, the only economically viable option is to demolish the theatre and concert hall, which has been an incredibly difficult decision. Culture has a huge part to play in people’s lives and that is why we have agreed that options will be considered in the future to include cultural facilities as part of the approved Ravenscraig Hub.

In the meantime, we will continue to use the excellent facilities at Airdrie Town Hall to programme as many shows as possible including the hugely popular pantomime.

We continue to work with promoters to relocate other shows to another venue.

Ticket holder information can be found here. 

The civic centre which is part of the complex remains open. A survey was carried on both the civic centre and civic square buildings and no evidence of RAAC was found.

Planning is underway for the relevant works improvement works at Ravenswood Primary School and The Pivot Centre, and for the demolition works at the extension to Caldervale High School and the Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre as outlined above. 

As is normal practice, our regular survey works continue across the remaining estate and will be part of an annual monitoring inspection by independent engineers.

While all pertinent professional guidance has been followed to date, we will continue to ensure we comply with any further guidance coming from government or relevant professional bodies.

A review of our housing stock identified 22 residential buildings that contained RAAC within their roof structures. Detailed inspections and structural assessments were subsequently undertaken by independent specialist surveyors and engineers to establish the condition of the affected buildings and inform the most appropriate long-term solutions.

All required remedial works and investigations have now been completed. Following a comprehensive options appraisal, it was agreed that four of the affected buildings will be demolished. For the remaining buildings, the council is progressing a programme of roof replacement works to maintain and improve tenants' homes, ensuring they remain safe, warm, secure and fit for the future, while supporting the long-term sustainability of our housing stock.

These projects are progressing well. Roof replacement works have been completed at two buildings, with a further two currently under construction. Work on the remaining buildings will continue in line with the approved programme.

The Institution of Structural Engineers advises that if an owner or manager has a building or property constructed between the mid-1950s and mid-1990s and is unsure of the form of construction, they should carry out an inspection and a risk assessment. This will help to identify or eliminate the possibility of RAAC within the fabric where necessary. 

If RAAC planks are present, their structural condition will need to be determined by a Chartered or Incorporated Structural Engineer. 

Subject to the Chartered or Incorporated Structural Engineer’s findings, a process of ongoing monitoring and/or remedial propping or strengthening works may be needed. In some instances, it may be necessary to remove or replace RAAC planks. 

Further information can be found on its website.