“Urgent” tests on 1990’s court buildings ordered over RAAC fears

The Government has ordered tests on courts built in the 1990s after “dangerous concrete” was found at Harrow Crown Court, according to the BBC.

The North-West London site was closed in August after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was found during improvement works.

The tests on the courts come after more than 100 schools in England have been told they must close some buildings over concerns of sudden collapse.

RAAC is a lightweight form of concrete which was used in schools, colleges and other building construction from the 1950s until the mid-1990s, according to a government website.

Harrow Crown Court was not one of six ‘buildings of concern’ identified by His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) in a 2021-22 review.

Following the survey, the Government said that the concrete had been removed from the buildings affected, and that all courts had been "certified as safe".

However, following inquiries by the BBC, the Government said that Harrow Crown Court had not been included in that survey because it was opened in 1991.

According to the BBC, the survey only examined court buildings opened in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Last week, the Local Government Association (LGA) said it has been warning of the risk posed by RAAC "since 2018”.

The Ministry of Justice has been approached for comment.

Lottie Winson