Residents of two streets in the former mining village of Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire, have been left in tears after being told their homes will be demolished. The decision follows an evacuation of 97 homes in May due to ongoing ground movement discovered in several streets.
Ground movement linked to past coal mining
The Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) launched a probe and confirmed last month that the ground movement was linked to past coal mining activity. Following an assessment, the MRA said there is “damage and risk severity beyond the point of rehabilitation” on Benbuck View and Dunmoss View. Its proposal is to acquire and demolish the properties on those two streets.
In other less affected areas, repairs are expected to be carried out once ground stabilisation work has taken place. The affected residents were notified on Thursday.
Government funding pledged
The UK Government has said it will foot the bill for the response to the incident. The Scottish Government pledged £1 million of additional cash in June to help Clackmannanshire Council cope with the “exceptional and unforeseen event”.
Keith Brown, MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, was briefed by the MRA ahead of residents being told the news at a meeting on Thursday evening, and said it is “absolutely devastating” for them.
Resident describes devastation
Simon Woodward, a resident of 17 years, described his home as looking like “the dark side of the moon” and said some locals left the meeting in tears. He told the BBC: “I sort of knew it was coming. You can just tell. I mean, the place just looks like the dark side of the moon at the moment, it’s holes everywhere.”
Mr Woodward said nothing would compensate him for losing his home, where he and his wife planned to spend their retirement. He said: “We’ve put our heart and soul into that house for our retirement. We’ve done everything in that house. We’ve spent £10, £20, £30,000 on it to make it as best as we can for our retirement. That’s gone.”
MRA outlines next steps
Carl Banton, chief operations director for the Mining Remediation Authority, said on Friday: “We have completed a programme of assessment work, including structural engineering assessments, ground investigations and an appraisal of the options available to make the area safe. This has given us a clearer picture of the scale of damage and the likely next steps for each affected area and property.
“The assessments show that each street affected is experiencing ground movement and property damage in different ways and to different levels. The most serious impacts remain on Benbuck View and Dunmoss View, where the homes have been assessed with damage and risk severity beyond the point of rehabilitation. Subject to the necessary approvals, our proposed approach is to acquire and demolish the properties on those streets.
“We know this is very difficult news for residents and their families. It is not a conclusion we have reached lightly, but it reflects the level of damage, the work that would be needed to make the ground safe, and the importance of giving people a clear, safe and practical route forward.
“In other affected areas, the position is different. At Langour, where movement has been more limited, repairs are expected to follow once ground stabilisation has taken place. Further stabilisation is also planned near Nechtan Drive, alongside road repairs on The Glen.”
He said that dedicated support remains in place for affected households and that partners are working together so that support remains co-ordinated and practical. Mr Banton added: “We will continue to approach this work with care, clarity and respect, making sure those most affected hear important information directly and have the opportunity to discuss their own circumstances.”
