No evidence of crumbling concrete in Swindon schools

Swindon Borough Council has issued a reassurance amid nationwide concerns over dangerous crumbling concrete in schools.

The head teachers of more than 100 English schools have been told by the Government to close buildings constructed using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

The lightweight concrete, widely described as bubbly, was used extensively for about four decades from the 1950s, and its composition means it is durable only for some 30 years.

It is not known how many schools it was used in or how many of the roofs, floors and walls it was used in remain as originally built.

According to Swindon Borough Council, there is no evidence of its having been used in the construction of local schools.

A council spokesperson said: "We are working with the Department for Education but, to date, there is no indication that Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) has been used in the construction of any schools in Swindon. 

"However, we will be carrying out further inspections over the next few weeks as a precaution.”