Cole-Hamilton: SNP must put RAAC at the top of the agenda in Parliament next week

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today called for the SNP-Green Government to put the issue of dangerous concrete in Scottish buildings at the top of the agenda next week, after it emerged that residents from around 500 homes in Aberdeen will be moved out due to the dangerous concrete.

He has now submitted a topical question asking the Scottish Government what steps, if any, it is taking to ensure that public authorities are able to share information and disseminate learning in relation to RAAC.

On Thursday, Aberdeen City Council announced their decision to move out the residents of around 500 homes as soon as possible, including those in 364 council properties, following detailed investigations by independent structural engineers into the presence of the potentially dangerous concrete RAAC.  

East Lothian and West Lothian councils have indicated that the combined total for addressing RAAC in their local authorities could be more than £80 million. Dundee University have also warned that replacing concrete in university buildings across Scotland could cost millions.

After discovering RAAC in at least 14 fire stations, the Chief Fire Officer asked the Scottish Government for £70 million to fix the problem.  

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“In Aberdeen, hundreds of peoples’ lives are being turned upside down, and they will all be extremely concerned about how the roofs above their heads could now pose a danger to them.

“To date, the Scottish Government have offered up a litany of excuses, insisting time and time again that there is nothing to see here. Despite numerous public bodies warning of the incredibly steep costs, ministers do not appear to have provided a penny of dedicated support.

“People in Aberdeen and right across the country deserve to know what’s going on and what the next steps are, especially when this could signal the beginning of a national scandal.

“This issue must go straight to the top of government’s agenda in Parliament next week. Ministers must ensure that measures are in place for public authorities to work together and share relevant recommendations and learning amongst them.  

“I sincerely hope that this will finally be the catalyst for government action: ministers must get their heads out of the sand, listen to Liberal Democrat calls and urgently establish a fund that councils, health boards and public bodies can tap into to remove this dangerous concrete.”