A top York attraction has announced it must partially close due to safety concerns.
York Castle Museum has discovered Raac concrete in part of its roof.
Raac (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) is the building material identified as being at risk of collapse.
More than 170 schools have had to shut areas affected by Raac. But other institutions have been carrying out inspections too.
Tonight, the York Museums Trust which runs Castle Museum issued this statement: “York Museums Trust has received confirmation that the north side of York Castle Museum, which houses Kirkgate, the Period Rooms and Shaping the Body has RAAC in the roofing.
“In line with government guidelines the building will remain closed until we have undertaken the necessary specialist inspections.
“The rest of York Castle Museum, including the Prison Cells, the Sixties Gallery and the First World War Gallery will remain open.
“We will update the website and social media channels as soon as more information becomes available.”
Kathryn Blacker, chief executive of York Museums Trust said: “Closing this part of the museum is a sensible precautionary measure.
“We’re doing all we can to ensure the necessary inspections take place as soon as possible and are planning for any potential actions we will need to put place when we receive the results of the inspection.”
It is another blow for the York Museums Trust, which is still recovering from the major losses it sustained during the Covid lockdowns.