RAAC at Heathrow and Gatwick: Both London airports confirm they have the concrete on-site

The concrete forcing schools to close across the country has been found at two London airports, it has been confirmed. Heathrow and Gatwick, the UK’s busiest airports, said they have reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) on their estates, and are taking steps to remedy the issues.

Both airports added neither passenger safety nor operations would be impacted by the presence of RAAC.

Concerns about RAAC came to the fore last week when the Department of Education (DfE) announced buildings in which it had been used would need to be shut.

A form of lightweight concrete, RAAC was used in colleges and other building construction from the 1950s until the mid-1990s.

Work was required on Heathrow’s Terminal 3 last year, due to RAAC being found on-site.

A spokesperson told LondonWorld’s sister title NationalWorld: “Industry has been aware and acting on the remedial steps that should be taken in buildings that contain this material.

“We, like many others, have been assessing our estate and will continue to mitigate the risk where this material is found.

“Passenger and colleague safety will always be our first priority, and we will continue to update stakeholders across the sector as our plans for permanent solutions progress.”

RAAC is also present at Gatwick, a spokesperson for the airport confirmed, and the locations containing the concrete will be “closely monitored”.

“Our most recent inspection in June 2023 did not present any concerns, and we will continue to monitor on a regular basis.”

They added the presence of RAAC has been on the airport’s radar “for some time”, and that there has been no indication of risk.

At least 18 London schools are known to have been impacted by RAAC, as well as buildings including Harrow Crown Court and the National Theatre.