Almost 100 homes in Coalsnaughton have been evacuated over suspected ground movement and possible subsidence. Residents will not be allowed to return until at least Thursday while the Mining Remediation Authority investigates. Clackmannanshire Council is arranging temporary accommodation and basic support, but some residents have criticised the level of information provided. The Scottish Government and the MRA are engaged; an MRA map records past shallow coal mine workings near Dunmoss View.
Nearly 100 Homes Evacuated in Coalsnaughton — Residents Told Not To Return Until At Least Thursday
Leader of Clackmannanshire Council Ellen Forson said she was awaiting reports from the Mining Remediation Authority [BBC]
Residents of Coalsnaughton, a former mining village in Clackmannanshire, will not be able to return to almost 100 homes evacuated after suspected ground movement until at least Thursday, the local authority has said.
The evacuation followed reports of subsidence and concerns about "unsafe structures." Initial investigations are being carried out by the Mining Remediation Authority (MRA), and officials say it would be inappropriate to speculate about the cause until those findings are published, expected next week.
Ross MacPhee claims there has been a lack of information from the council [BBC]
Support and Local Response
Councillor Ellen Forson, leader of Clackmannanshire Council, expressed sympathy for displaced residents and praised staff and community volunteers for their efforts. She acknowledged the pressure on a small council with limited housing resources but said officers were working with partners to secure temporary accommodation, mainly across the Forth Valley, and to provide food, supplies, childcare and pet care.
"My heart went out to residents... this has been absolutely horrendous," Councillor Forson said. "We've had council officers cancel leave and miss family occasions to provide support on the ground, and that is very much appreciated."
Residents' Concerns
Not all residents accepted the evacuation calmly. Ross MacPhee said he returned to his house in frustration at what he described as a lack of information from the council: "They're asking us to uproot our lives, move elsewhere, and they're not telling us any information at all." He added that the situation had left him "confused, frustrated and quite sad."
A total of 97 properties in four streets in Coalsnaughton have now been evacuated [BBC]
Another resident, Simon Woodward, said he was given only about 30 seconds' notice to leave after a firefighter knocked on his door around 21:00. He described a scene with multiple emergency vehicles and said residents were briefly escorted back later to collect a few belongings. Woodward was initially taken to Devonvale Hall before finding accommodation in Stirling.
Vulnerable Families Rehomed
Some families with specific needs have been rehoused temporarily. Aaron Anderson, a father of three including 11-year-old twins with autism, told BBC Scotland that Kingdom Housing quickly arranged an Airbnb in Grangemouth that was "safe for my children," though his family remained highly stressed by the disruption.
Official Response and Investigation
Justice Secretary Neil Gray said he had met council officials and the local MSP to discuss what support the Scottish Government could offer. The MRA is investigating the source of the subsidence; an online MRA map shows a recorded mine entry on what is now Dunmoss View and notes "past shallow coal mine workings" in the area. The MRA said work was continuing "at pace" and that the safety of residents and partners remained its top priority.
A council spokesperson said the evacuation was being carried out in a controlled manner and that officers and partner agencies would continue to support residents: "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."
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