Cole-Hamilton comments on dangerous concrete in Edinburgh primaries and Scottish hospitals

Responding to the news that some pupils at Cramond and Trinity primary schools in Edinburgh will be taught in portable classroom units following the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), a building material at risk of sudden catastrophic structural failure, Edinburgh Western MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“Parents in Edinburgh will be glad that unsafe spaces are off limits but the long term disruption across the capital and country is likely to be significant.

“Neighbouring West Lothian council has already warned that it could cost tens of millions to fix their problems.

“When I raised this issue with the First Minister last month he promised to give it his attention. The list of schools and hospitals discovering this dangerous concrete is growing fast but there still isn’t a comprehensive nationwide strategy for repairs.

“I’m urging Humza Yousaf to adopt the Scottish Liberal Democrats’ proposal for a national fund to help to help cash-strapped schools, universities, hospitals and more to cope with remedial works that need to take place.”

Responding to reports in The Times that health boards could face a bill for tens of millions of pounds after it emerged that more than 250 buildings could contain RAAC, he added:

“It is worrying that patients are being treated in buildings with roofs that could collapse at any moment. It’s now almost six months since an urgent safety notice was issued.

“Patients and staff need to know exactly which buildings have this concrete in place.

“The Scottish Government must urgently ensure that every health board building at risk is fully inspected and put in place a fund to ensure that the concrete is swiftly removed if it is deemed unsafe.”