Demolition of Raac-affected pool begins

A swimming pool where reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was found has started to be demolished.

Racc was first discovered at Peterborough's Regional Pool in September 2023, and the site also had issues with asbestos and out-of-date mechanical installations.

Demolition work is expected to take place until July, and it was hoped a new £30m replacement pool would be open by 2028.

Peterborough City Council shut the Bishop's Road car park near the site for 14 weeks, but access to the city's athletics club remained open.

The Labour-run council leader, Dennis Jones, previously admitted there were no cheap options to rebuild the site.

The authority said it would cost £26m to repair the facility, which was built in the 1970s.

The decision was made to permanently close the centre in March 2024 due to high repair costs.

It was expected that a new contract to build a replacement facility would be awarded by January 2026.

Peterborough's Lido, which is due to open on 24 May, is currently the only public swimming pool in the city centre.

The council initially proposed cuts to the outdoor pool to save £400,000 a year, but reversed the plan after opposition.

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