Nearly 100 homes have been evacuated in the former mining village of Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire, following reports of ground movement. Properties began being cleared on 18 May and an investigation has since been launched into the cause.
The local authority said a further 28 properties in Nechtan Drive and nine in Langour were evacuated on Friday as a precaution, bringing the total to 97. Earlier this week, the gas supply was disconnected in Nechtan Drive as a precautionary measure due to ground movement in the area.
Resident Aaron Anderson, who has three children including 11-year-old twins with autism, told BBC Scotland News his family had been moved into an Airbnb in Grangemouth. 'I am thankful to Kingdom Housing, which owns my property, for acting quickly to provide a temporary home that is safe for my children,' he said.
Another resident, Margo Brown, described confusion after being evacuated from Dunmoss View on Wednesday before being allowed back briefly on Thursday. 'You're waiting about all day trying to find out what's going to happen, then we got an email saying, no it's OK, you don't have to get out. Then 20 minutes later, “all out, everybody out”. Ten minutes to get out and that was us,' she told the BBC.
Nikki Bridle, chief executive of Clackmannanshire Council, said: 'The priority of all local resilience partners continues to be the safety and welfare of everyone involved. Specialist investigations being undertaken by the Mining Remediation Authority are ongoing and are expected to take some time to complete.' Scottish justice secretary Neil Gray met with local leaders on Friday and said the authority's findings were awaited.
