Structural engineers have said that the roof at Epsom Downs Racecourse is "100 per cent safe" following emergency repairs early this morning during which roads were again closed.

A large section of the roof of the £23.5m Duchess stand, opened just three years ago, was ripped off by severe winds yesterday morning, sparkin an evacuation of the racecourse and road closures.

Parts of the damaged roof was left hanging precariously and mounds of roof insulation were strewn across the nearby road and car park.

With further strong winds predicted for tomorrow, gusting up to 50 mph, it was vital to make the roof safe today.

Structural engineers were up on the roof shortly after dawn this morning and roads have now been reopened.

A spokesperson for the racecourse said: “The area has been secured and structural engineers have been brought in to assess the situation.

“All the emergency services were called and structural engineers have made sure its 100 per cent safe.

“All staff were back in the office this morning.”

Although the damaged section of the roof has now been stabilised, investigations into what went wrong and full repair is likely to take much longer.

The Duchess stand, which has an 11,000 capacity, was officially opened by her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cornwall, in April 2009.

Work began on the Duchess stand in 2006 as part of a £38m development with Capita Bobrowski, a division of Capita Symonds, providing all civil and structural engineering services.

The venue boasts a large 1123sqm betting hall on the ground floor which doubles as an 800-seat conference venue outside of racing.

The first floor has three restaurants and is flexible for conferences, banqueting and racing whilst the second floor has fourteen private boxes and the Downs View Suite that can host just over 100 people.

A full investigation into the incident, and whether the building should have been able to withstand the severe weather, will begin today.