Almost 100 homes in Coalsnaughton have been evacuated because of “ground movement”.
Displaced residents in a former mining village have been told they won’t be able to return to their homes until Thursday at the earliest. Nearly 100 homes in Coalsnaughton, near Tillicoultry in Clackmannanshire, have been evacuated in recent days following concerns around ground movement.
Clackmannanshire Council have now said residents will need to wait at least another five days to find out if their homes will be safe to return to.
Council leader Ellen Forson said it would not be fair to speculate ahead of the findings of initial investigations by the Mining Remediation Authority, which are expected next week.
Speaking to BBC Scotland, she added that her “heart went out” to residents and that she appreciated the situation had been “absolutely horrendous”.
Cllr Forson said: “It is very challenging. We are a small local authority area and there are limited resources, particularly in housing.
“However, we have been trying to provide support and working with partners to find alternative accommodation, mostly around the Forth Valley area, as well as providing extra support through food, supplies, childcare and care for pets.
Council staff and local community groups have rallied round to support the people affected as best they can and Cllr Forson praised them for working “really, really hard”.
She added: “We’ve had council officers cancel leave and miss family occasions to provide support on the ground, and that is very much appreciated.”
Residents of 30 homes were first evacuated after shuddering was felt on Monday, May 18. More homes were evacuated earlier this week as investigations into the ground movement continued.
Some neighbouring residents have also been asked to leave their homes temporarily as utilities have been cut off until the cause of the ground movement can be investigated.
However, some, including Ross MacPhee, have decided to return to their homes regardless of the warnings. He said a lack of information about the situation meant he was “frustrated”.
He said: “They’re asking us to uproot our lives, move elsewhere, and they’re not telling us any information at all,” he said.
“The lack of information is what’s most annoying for us, I think.
“I feel very confused, very frustrated – quite sad as well. We’ve only been in our house for about six months and, more than anything, I think it’s very much soured my opinion of the council in this area.”
Other residents have told how they were hurried out of their homes as emergency services moved in to investigate the ground movement. Many have had to find temporary accommodation elsewhere after staying at Devonvale Hall where emergency provision was put on in the immediate aftermath.
A spokesperson for Clackmannanshire Council said it would “continue to keep residents updated as further information becomes available”.
The 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.”
Justice Secretary Neil Gray has held a meeting with Clackmannanshire Council officials and the local MSP to “discuss what support the Scottish government could provide to those affected through what is a deeply distressing time”.
He said: “Investigations are being carried out by the Mine Remediation Authority to establish the source of the subsidence and we await its findings.
“The Scottish government is actively engaging with the local authority and relevant partners.”
Data from the Mine Remediation Authority shows that an entrance to one of the former mines in the area was located on what is now Dunmoss View.
The authority said it work was continuing “at pace” to establish the cause of this incident.
A spokesperson said: “Our priority remains the safety of residents, our people and partners, and we will provide further updates as more information becomes available.”
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