Coal Authority investigating after houses sink amid road collapse

The Coal Authority is investigating after a road collapse in North Ayrshire meant families had to be evacuated from their homes.

Emergency services were called to Sharphill Road in Saltcoats in the early of hours of Saturday morning.

Police Scotland, the ambulance service and the Coal Authority were all in attendance and at least ten people had to be moved into temporary accommodation as a precaution.

Residents reported that their homes were sinking in the area, believed to be built on a coal mine, just before 2am.

Specialists were sent to the scene to assess the damage and the road remains closed as investigations into the incident get under way.

A spokesperson for the Coal Authority said: “At 1.50am on Saturday, emergency services were notified of an incident of damage to property in Sharphill Road, Saltcoats, Ayrshire.

“Ten residents from eight properties in Sharphill Road were then evacuated as a safety precaution.

“Specialist engineers from the Coal Authority deployed to the site and worked with emergency services to assess the extent of the damage and ensure the safety of the site. We are now carrying out a number to physical investigations to determine whether the incident is coal mining related.

“If these investigations show that the cause was due to historical coal mining activity, then the Coal Authority will undertake any remediation work that is required.

“Our thoughts are with those families affected by this incident.

“Our on-site support team are working with those directly affected and have made special provisions to enable residents to collect urgent and essential items.

“The site is cordoned off and members of the public are asked to observe the restrictions at the site to allow work to proceed safely.”