Bridgend indoor market has been forced to close after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete was identified
A town centre indoor market has been forced to close with immediate effect over concerns about crumbling concrete.
Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) has been identified in the roof of Bridgend Indoor Market, at the Rhiw Shopping Centre in the town centre.
Bridgend council said it will shut to allow further assessments and surveys to be carried out.
The council added that traders have been informed and the closure will not affect the nearby shopping centre.
Several schools in Wales have also been forced to close buildings after use of the concrete was identified, in addition to 174 schools in England.
Raac is a lightweight material that was primarily used between the 1950s and 1990s, mostly in roofing but also in floors and walls.
It is cheaper than standard concrete to produce and install as it aerated, or “bubbly”, and therefore is susceptible to structural failure when exposed to moisture.
The Health and Safety Executive has said it is now beyond its lifespan and may “collapse with little or no notice”.
Image source, Bridgend council
The council said the decision to close the market was made after an in-depth inspection by a Welsh government-approved specialist on Wednesday
The council said the Raac at the market was identified following inspections of all council-maintained buildings “in line with national advice from UK government and Welsh government”.
It said this inspection process has prioritised local schools, where no areas of concern have been identified.
A Bridgend council spokesperson said: “We recognise the inconvenience and potential hardship this will cause to traders and the impact the loss of the market will have as a popular and busy place.
“Bridgend Indoor Market remains at the heart of the town centre, and every effort is being made to ensure that this closure causes as little inconvenience as possible.”
