Clackmannanshire village residents describe evacuation amid major ground movements as 'horrific'

The residents of a Clackmannanshire village struck by ground movements have described the ordeal as “absolutely horrific”.

Benbuck View in Coalsnaughton was closed off following the first incident on May 18, which resulted in 30 properties being evacuated.

Slabs buckled and cracks appeared in buildings after the earth shifted in the former mining village.

The local authority set up a rest centre at Devonvale Hall for those affected. Just before midnight last Monday, all residents were relocated elsewhere.

On Wednesday, a further 30 homes were evacuated after further issues were detected.

Clackmannanshire Council confirmed that 28 homes on Nechtan Drive and nine homes in Lagour were evacuated as a precaution on Friday.

A total of 97 homes have been impacted since the ground movements were first detected. The local authority has confirmed the affected residents will not be able to return home until at least Thursday.

One evacuated resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, revealed that they are currently being put up in a “tiny” hotel room after being forced from their home.

They said: “I can say myself, partner, and two children have been put in a hotel room with our dog. The room is tiny and not the cleanest.

“My three-year-old son is sick, and I am sitting in the hotel with the cleaner’s mop bucket for the little one to be sick into. We can’t leave the room because the little one is sick.

“The bathroom is tiny. There is no fridge, no cooking facilities. So we need to get take-away for every meal. “We are waiting on updates from housing.”

Lesley Creevy lives near to the affected properties but has not been required to leave. She has described the whole ordeal as “absolutely horrific”.

Lesley added: “I’m trying not to read anything in the papers, I’m trying not to read anything on social media, but its all out there.

“Everyone is giving different opinions, different answers, but it is all up in the air.”

Specialist investigations are still being carried out by the Mining Remediation Authority to identify the source of the movements

Clackmannanshire Council chief executive Nikki Bridle said: “The evacuation is being carried out in a controlled manner and residents are being supported by council officers and partner agencies throughout the process.

“The priority of all Local Resilience Partners continues to be the safety and welfare of everyone involved, and our officers remain in the local area to provide guidance and support to residents during what we appreciate is a worrying and uncertain time.”