RAAC fears at Eastgate Shopping Centre and Museum of Gloucester

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) is commonly used in roofing and wall construction.

This lightweight building material was used from the 1950s until the mid-1990s in the UK and around the world.

But the concrete, which can become less stable over time, is now deemed unsafe.

Raac has been found in more than 140 schools and has also been found in Gatwick and Heathrow airports as well as the Houses of Parliament.

More than 100 schools were told by the Department for Education to close buildings on August 31 over Raac concerns.

And City Councillor Alastair Chambers (Independent, Matson, Robinswood and White City) says he is concerned about the presence of the material in council-owned buildings such as Eastgate Market Hall and the Museum of Gloucester.

“After hearing the terrible news about the school concrete roof falling in.

“I immediately raised an written enquiry with Gloucester City Council asking what buildings/properties the city council owns that have been built with the potentially dangerous construction method of Raac.

“I was advised in writing that only two city council buildings were constructed with Raac.

"These are the Eastgate shopping centre and the museum.”

Cllr Chambers is worried about the safety of the structure and is concerned as the building accommodates shoppers, men, women and children daily. “It is not a safe structure and in my personal opinion a danger to the public,” he said.

However, the council says there is no immediate cause for concern and is in the process of conducting a full Raac analysis of council-owned buildings.

A spokesperson for Gloucester City Council said: “We are in the process of conducting a full RAAC analysis of council-owned buildings, including both the Museum of Gloucester and Eastgate Market.

“Following the outcome of this work we will take appropriate action depending on the findings.

"There is no immediate cause for concern with council-owned buildings in Gloucester.”