Residents evacuated from 30 homes after ground movement detected in Clackmannanshire

Residents in a Clackmannanshire village have been evacuated from their homes after evidence of ‘ground movement’.

Benbuck View in Coalsnaughton has been closed off following the incident, which resulted in 30 properties being evacuated on Monday night.

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

The nature of the ground movement is not known, however, the Mining Remediation Authority is currently in attendance.

A Clackmannanshire Council spokesperson said: “The safety and wellbeing of all our residents is our primary concern.

“Our officers were at Coalsnaughton last night working with partners to ensure the safe evacuation of residents from 30 private properties in the village after evidence of ground movement was discovered. No-one was injured.

“A rest centre was then established at nearby Devonvale Hall, but all the residents were successfully accommodated elsewhere last night, either with friends or family, in temporary accommodation or in hotels and the rest centre closed shortly before midnight.

“Our officers remain at Devonvale Hall today offering support and guidance and we would like to reassure affected residents we will do our best to support them throughout this worrying time.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were alerted at 8.59pm on Monday, 18 May to reports of several unsafe structures at Benbuck View, Coalsnaughton.

“Operations Control mobilised three appliances plus specialist resources to the scene, where a number of properties were evacuated as a precaution.

“There were no reported casualties and crews left the scene at 2.22am on Tuesday, 19 May, after ensuring the area was made safe.”