Dundee businesses back Raac campaign
Yvette Hoskins, Claire Neill and Margaret McLeod took to the streets on Wednesday afternoon with 100 posters designed and printed by The Courier.
The group visited outlets across the city centre, from pubs and butchers to record stores and newsagents, distributing the posters and speaking to business owners.
The campaign comes amid growing concern from residents who are living with the defective concrete.
Dundee has the most Raac-affected residential properties in Scotland, with almost 900 homes confirmed to contain the material.
Neighbouring Monifieth is also affected.
Yvette Hoskins, vice chairperson of the Dundee Raac Campaign Group, said: 'I need the community of Dundee to come together as a whole.
'To help support the residents whose homes are in a dangerous position to be in.
'To allow us to have a voice to take us to Westminster.
'We still have other areas to cover with the campaign posters.
'We have a great opportunity to try keep the campaign alive.
'We need to let the public and the communities know that Raac is so much bigger than people realise.'
Many business owners were more than happy to put campaign posters in their windows, expressing their concerns for the people affected by the issue.
The posters contain a QR code that directs people to sign a petition that will give campaigners a voice at Westminster.
Raac (Reinforced, Autoclaved, Aerated Concrete) is a cheaper alternative to concrete that was widely used to build homes between 1950s and 1990s.
The material, however, can pose significant structural issues.
It is especially dangerous when saturated by water, which further weakens the structure.
Campaigners are urging people to sign the petition to take the issue of Raac to Westminster in the hope serious action can be taken.
Tenants and homeowners with Raac feel trapped in the situation and are calling for the support of politicians, businesses and the wider community.
The Courier has launched our Trapped by Raac campaign to help those affected by the burgeoning crisis.
They need 10,000 people to sign this petition to give them a voice – so we're asking our readers to help them achieve that goal.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
09-07-2025
- BBC News
Peterborough town hall's Raac repairs could cost £900,000
Safety measures to protect people from crumbling concrete at a town hall could cost £900,000, a report has autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was found on the second floor of the civic building in Peterborough in February a report due to be read at a meeting on 15 July, Peterborough City Council was told "urgent mitigation measures" were needed to make its Bridge Street base safe."If injury or fatality occurs because of a known structural risk, liability may fall to the council," the report stated. Mitigation measures would ensure the safety of the occupants below, it was city council meetings have been held at the authority's offices in Sand Martin House since parts of the building have remained in use, including the main chamber occupied by the coroner's court. 'Cascading effect' The report stated the building's floor was not strong enough to withstand any falling Raac panels."Should one or more panels fail without warning - which is the nature of Raac - the resulting impact load could exceed the second floor's load-bearing limits, causing the floor structure to fail," it read."This could lead to a cascading effect to the floors below." The report also claimed businesses operating from the building could face significant financial losses if work did not take £760,000 per year would be lost in lease payments if this happened and the firms vacated the premises, the author the report, cabinet members have been recommended to support a contract being awarded for mitigation council said the likelihood of a Raac collapse was unlikely, but admitted the implications would be "severe" if it did previously stressed the ongoing works were a "very complex issue". Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
STV News
05-07-2025
- STV News
Consultation launched on plans to reduce staffing levels at fire station
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is running a public consultation, which could lead to reduced staffing levels at Cumbernauld Fire Station. Currently the station has two fire engines which are continually crewed, but the consultation on SFRS website, which is open until September, contains two options for Lanarkshire both of which propose the same outcome for Cumbernauld. This would involve the second appliance instead being crewed by firefighters during the day shift hours of 8am-6pm Monday to Friday, but switching to an on-call basis outside of those times. Operation of the first appliance would remain unaltered. This is just a small part of the overall review, which carries 23 options for almost half of the council areas in Scotland, including proposals to close eight rural stations which have been dormant for a long time with five others earmarked for potential closure. Information provided by SFRS states that although the latest Scottish Government budget increased capital funding to £47 million, it would cost more than £800m to bring all 356 fire stations up to standard. Some stations have sub-par accommodation and facilities while others, like many public buildings, are deteriorating due to the use of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in their construction. A public meeting has been organised in Cumbernauld, to be held in Greenfaulds Community Facility from 6-8pm on Wednesday, August 6, where a senior officer will outline the proposals and the reasons for change. To book a place email The consultation can also be contributed to via the SFRS website. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Glasgow Times
24-06-2025
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow's Netherton swimming pool 'could be demolished'
Netherton swimming pool has lain empty for nearly three decades after it was shut by Glasgow City Council (GCC) in 1997. The building, which was constructed during the 1960s, is situated next to Netherton Community Centre in the city's north-west and has been a topic of concern in the local community. The back of the roof (Image: Newsquest staff) Glasgow Life confirmed that the building fabric is deteriorating and the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has been detected in the roof structure. RAAC is less durable than concrete and is prone to collapse when wet. As such, it has been identified as a 'significant' health and safety risk. Repair works were underway; however, the contractor is said to have recently reported further deterioration and 'failure of the roof'. Glasgow Life confirmed it is now in the process of preparing more detailed information about the facility, which is owned by GCC, and this will be shared with the community council and elected members for further discussion. Multiple 'danger' signs have been put up on the building (Image: Newsquest staff) READ NEXT: Concerns after youngsters 'seen on roof' of pool in Glasgow However, the charity noted that it anticipates demolition will be the 'most appropriate course of action'. A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said: 'Netherton Pool Hall has been closed since 1997. Due to the deteriorating building fabric and the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the roof structure, it has been identified as a significant health and safety risk. 'Following recent repair works, the contractor responsible reported further deterioration and failure of the roof. 'Considering the current condition of the building, Glasgow Life is in the process of preparing more detailed information regarding the facility. 'This information will be shared with the local community council and elected members for further discussion. 'We anticipate that the most appropriate course of action will be demolition.' (Image: Newsquest staff) The former pool hall is still connected to operational facilities, including Netherton Community Centre and the Caledonian Taekwondo Health & Fitness Centre. READ NEXT: Glasgow's Knightswood pond to be drained in coming months Despite lying derelict, the building is home to the plant room, which provides heating and water services to the other buildings. Glasgow Life revealed that if the swimming pool is to be demolished, the site would be 'repurposed' to ensure these services continue. (Image: Newsquest staff) A spokesperson added: 'It is important to note that the pool hall houses the plant room, which provides essential heating and water services to other operational buildings. 'Should demolition proceed, the site would be repurposed to accommodate a new, modern plant room, ensuring the provision of efficient heating and water services for the remaining facilities.' The front of the building (Image: Newsquest staff) The news comes four months after we reported that concerns had been raised following reports of 'primary school children seen climbing on the roof' of the swimming pool. The issue was brought to light at a meeting of High Knightswood and Anniesland Community Council on February 18. At that time, Inspector Siobhan Paterson suggested that officers could visit local primary schools to raise awareness of the dangers of such actions.
