Council to pay £6m to fix shopping centre concrete
GoogleMore than £6m will be spent on removing concrete from a shopping centre amid concerns over its safety.
North East Lincolnshire Council has agreed to replace the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) after it was found in non-public areas of Freshney Place.
Hundreds of buildings around the country, including schools, have been closed for remedial work because of fears for the structural integrity of Raac, which was used between the 1950s and 1990s and has a lifespan of about 30 years.
Work is expected to start early next year and is due to be completed by the end of 2027.
The Grimsby shopping centre was bought by the council in August 2022 and is being revamped as part of a £50m redevelopment of the area.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the money for the repairs will be borrowed, with the council planning to recoup the cost later from service charges.
Raac was developed as a cheaper alternative to standard concrete. It was commonly used in flat roofs, as well as in floors and walls
It is aerated, or "bubbly", like an Aero chocolate bar, but is less durable and has a lifespan of around 30 years.
The affected areas at Freshney Place have been propped up to reduce the risk of failure.
The concrete will be removed and replaced, rather than being strengthened by steel supports, to avoid any future problems with the Raac.
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