Coalsnaughton families homeless for months as 'ground shifts 15mm every day'

Residents evacuated in a former mining village in Clackmannanshire won’t be able to return home for months as the ground continues to shift 15mm each day.

People living in Coalsnaughton were updated at a council meeting on Tuesday night and were informed it will take another eight weeks for experts to determine the cause.

They also heard there continues to be movement of between 10 and 15mm a day in some streets, including in Dunmoss View and The Glen, as the Mining Remediation Authority tries to get to the bottom of what has happened.

Households have been forced out after slabs buckled and cracks appeared in buildings in Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire Mining Remediation Authority

Almost 100 properties have been evacuated in Coalsnaughton since the movement was first detected on May 18.

Benbuck View was closed off and 30 properties were evacuated after slabs buckled and cracks appeared in buildings.

Another 30 homes were emptied after further reports of ground movement in Dunmoss View on May 27.

Cracks have formed between homes in Coalsnaughton Mining Remediation Authority

There was a further evacuation of 28 homes on Nechtan Drive and nine in Langour last Friday – taking the total number to 97.

Residents affected have been put up in temporary accommodation.

One evacuated resident told STV News that they are currently being put up in a “tiny” hotel room after being forced from their home.

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

At the meeting on Tuesday night it was confirmed it will be months before they can return to their homes.

Nikki Bridle, chief executive of Clackmannanshire Council, said: “As part of the continuing work to keep affected residents updated, partner organisations held an update meeting for those residents on Tuesday 2 June.

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

“During the meeting Carl Banton, Chief Operation Director for the Mining Remediation Authority, explained that work is continuing at pace to establish the cause of this incident.

“A further eight weeks will be needed for the Mining Remediation Authority to investigate the cause of the ground movement.

“Carl outlined the works that have been undertaken and shared images to help residents understand how the ground is moving.

“Our thoughts are with the residents affected by this incident, and we understand that this news will be concerning for them.

“We appreciate the support and concern shown by the wider Clackmannanshire community, and encourage everyone to follow the information and advice provided by the Council and our Local Resilience Partners.”