Urgent concrete repairs and protection works to Tenby’s secondary school Ysgol Greenhill due to ‘immediate risk to safety’ - are to setback Pembrokeshire County Council just over half a million pounds.

According to a survey carried out at the school situated on Heywood Lane, 750 areas of concrete were found to be in a poor condition at the building, with the need for repairs to be taken as a ‘matter of urgency’.

PCC’s leader Cllr Jon Harvey has signed-off a decision for the repair work to go ahead, based on a report set out from the survey, stating that it was needed to ‘provide a safe environment for pupils and staff at the school’.

Cllr Harvey has signed off on a contract being awarded to Trident Engineering GBR Ltd for works as set out in their scope of work to a value of £555,946.17.

PCC’s leader also agreed that the the total value of the works be included in the ‘capital programme’ for this purpose.

Consultation has been undertaken regarding the urgency of the agreement and need to complete works due to concerns around pupil, staff and public safety from falling debris together with the risks regarding the deterioration of the structural steelworks that is integral to the external wall structure.

A report that went before the Local Authority’s leader on April 16, stated: ‘It has been identified following the commission of a specialist structural report and follow up monitoring of exposed steelwork that further urgent essential repair works and stabilisation is required of identified areas to the structural concrete frame of Greenhill school, Tenby.

‘The element of the school affected is typical of concrete casted 50 – 60 years ago, and in the most part was found to be general good condition for the local (coastal) environment.

‘The potential for falling material from the frame is real and immediate. Elements were identified and removed at the time of the survey, the survey also identified items that while not at immediate danger of falling from the building, could be reasonably expected to do so in a period of time.’

Greenhill School Tenby
A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council stated: “As has been detailed in the Individual Cabinet Member decision report signed by the Leader, it is due to the urgent nature of the works required at Greenhill School that these works have had to be prioritised.” (Stock image)

During the survey carried out by Trident Civil Engineering Ltd, over 750 areas of concrete in poor condition were identified of the following types, including cracks in concrete slabs, beams, columns and soffits; and cracking to brickwork.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council stated: “As has been detailed in the Individual Cabinet Member decision report signed by the Leader, it is due to the urgent nature of the works required at Greenhill School that these works have had to be prioritised.

“This is also to take advantage of the school holiday periods over Easter, Whitsun and summer breaks to prevent disruption to pupil education whilst these construction works are progressed.

“These periods of time are needed for timely progress of the works and to ensure attainment of the necessary sign-off warranty for the works undertaken.”

The decision will be confirmed in a report presented at the next PCC meeting on May 8.