Almost 100 homes in Clackmannanshire have been evacuated following an unexplained 'ground movement', with fears that disused coal mines may be collapsing. The evacuations began on May 18 and have now affected 97 properties across three locations in the village of Coalsnaughton.
Residents of 28 homes on Nechtan Drive and nine on Langour were asked to leave, joining those previously evacuated from 30 homes on Dunmoss View and 30 on Benbuck View. Locals have reported lifted paving stones and cracks appearing in gardens, walls, floors and roads.
The Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) confirmed an 'incident' causing ground movement and is investigating the cause. Affected families have been moved into temporary accommodation. Laarni Payoyo, a resident of Dunmoss View, described being woken by strange noises and noticing significant cracks in her home, which she moved into only four months ago.
Clackmannanshire Council chief executive Nikki Bridle said the council is working with the MRA and other partners to ensure safety and support for residents. An MRA spokesperson stated that multiple specialist teams are conducting engineering assessments, and traffic management and security measures have been implemented.
