A second court has been closed due to safety concerns following the government’s review of public buildings.

Preston Magistrates’ Court (pictured above) is likely to be shut for between three and four months, with work relocated to neighbouring courts. It has been reported in the Lancashire Post that all cases listed for today have been transferred to Blackpool Magistrates’ Court, with listing officers and backroom staff working remotely.

The Ministry of Justice said this was a ‘precautionary action’ after a routine assessment found that reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAACA) previously identified in the court’s roof had deteriorated. The three-floor Preston site in Lawson Street was built in the 1970s.

A spokesperson for HM Courts & Tribunals said: 'We have decided to close Preston Magistrates’ Court for improvement works including repairs to the roof and mitigating RAAC that has recently deteriorated due to suspected water damage.

‘Cases will be heard at alternative sites to minimise disruption while we carry out repairs as quickly as possible.’

The MoJ has reviewed 350 court buildings across England and Wales to identify those which may have been built with RAAC. Surveys have been completed for the 103 buildings constructed between 1960 and 1990, with Preston Magistrates and Harrow Crown Court closed as a result. Five other buildings have been identified as containing RAAC but have been deemed safe.

The MoJ said it will continue ongoing work to monitor the estate and take action where necessary.

The presence of RAAC has caused the full or partial closure of around 150 schools and raised further concerns about other public buildings constructed from around 1960 onwards.

 

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