An unwanted £500k council pilot scheme to remove Raac from Dundee flats has caused a leak in one of the Menzieshill blocks it’s being trialled in.
Water was seen soaking through overhead boards and running down the stairwell in Cart Place as council-appointed workers began the controversial scheme.
Campaigners Yvette Hoskins and Arlene Jeffrey were visiting the building on Tuesday morning when they found water coming coming into the communal stairwell.
Arlene inherited her mum’s flat in the block after she died on Christmas Day last year.
Last month, The Courier reported that Arlene was one of the homeowners hit with a council bill of £7k each from the local authority for the Raac pilot scheme that was implemented without consultation.
Campaigners are against the scheme as it does not remove the Raac but instead covers and supports it.
Homeowners believe it means they still cannot sell their houses as the properties will remain unmortgageable.
Fears Raac has come into water contact
As part of the pilot scheme, the Dundee City Council is removing old roof mounted water tanks.
Arlene told The Courier: “Water is pouring down the whole stairwell.”
Yvette was concerned that due to the leak the Raac panels have now come into contact with water.
One of the main concerns with the defective concrete is that it is susceptible to structural failure when exposed to moisture.
However Dundee City Council believes that short term exposure will not matter.
A spokesperson for the local authority said: “The nature of the works to dismantle the redundant tanks or the enclosures means there is likely to be residual water which will find its way out.
“This will not result in any additional costs to owners.”
They added: “Water damage to Raac panels occurs over many years and a short-term wetting of the panel is unlikely to cause any damage.
“The council will discuss any issues with residents directly if they get in touch with officers.”
Residents have previously told The Courier they will not pay for the unwanted scheme after the council billed them for work they were given four days notice was beginning.
Some of the same residents billed for £7k have also been hit with costs upwards of £1.5k by the council for new lights in their block of flats.
When homeowners asked for a breakdown of charges, the council stonewalled them, saying it was against their policy.
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