NELC faces likely bill of £6-million (and counting) to rid potentially dodgy concrete from shopping mall

                                                         

Demolition work at one end of Freshney Place - but required RAAC-removal works elsewhere will add to the bill

A BILL of at least £6-million could be in prospect for North East Lincolnshire Council following revelations earlier this year of potentially unsafe concrete used in the construction of the Freshney Place shopping mall.

The authority's assets manager, Queensbury, engaged the Black Cat Building Consultancy, a national organisation, to identify the extent of  Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete - and what should be done about it.

RAAC is a lightweight, aerated ‘bubbly’ form of concrete that was  used in the construction of public buildings from the 1950s to the early1990s, but which has a lifespan of sometimes as short as just 30 years. 

Because of what some claim to have been "a media-driven scare", this has led to the closure of 104 English schools, nurseries and colleges, though it is thought there have only been two instances of failure in localised parts of schools in recent years.

Black Cat have come up with the following remediation options:

* Complete removal

* Installation of steel supports

* Do nothing

The last will almost certainly be ruled out.  While incidents to date may have been rare, the council needs to discharge health and safety requirements.

The likelihood is that complete removal will be the path chosen as it should as it remove any further potential issues associated with the potential dodgy concrete.

The estimated cost of  £6.06-million is a highly unwelcome expense and will  probably have to be met  by external borrowing.

It may  also hold up the ongoing reconfiguration of Freshney Place.

According to the provisional timetable, detailed design work - even if it started now - would probably take until autumn before completion.

The contract for removal would be put out to tender during winter, with a proposed start on the project in spring next year.

Completion  is not scheduled until winter 2027.

A report to councillors states: "The main challenge would be not undertaking the works which could lead to challenges from tenants. 

"Naturally, there will be appropriate communications with tenants at the appropriate time."