Two more streets evacuated in former mining village over ground movement

A further 37 properties have been evacuated as a precaution in a former mining village in Clackmannanshire after reports of ground movement.

Clackmannanshire Council said that Coalsnaughton residents in 28 properties in Nechtan Drive and nine properties in Langour were told to leave their homes.

It follows the evacuation of 60 properties in Benbuck View and Dunmoss View following reports of "unsafe structures".

The roads have been closed for an investigation into the cause of the ground movement.

Nechtan Drive residents' gas supply was disconnected on Thursday evening as a precautionary measure.

Resident Aaron Anderson, who has three children including 11-year-old twins with autism, told BBC Scotland News that his family had now been moved into an Airbnb in Grangemouth.

He said he was thankful to Kingdom Housing, who own his property, for acting quickly to provide a temporary home that was "safe for my children."

He added that his family's "stress levels were high."

The council's chief executive Nikki Bridle said: "Following ongoing investigations into ground movement in Coalsnaughton, a decision has been taken this afternoon to evacuate a further 28 properties in Nechtan Drive and nine properties in Langour as a precautionary measure.

"This brings the total number of evacuated properties to 97 since 18 May."

Bridle said the evacuation was being carried out in a "controlled manner" and residents were being supported by council officers and partner agencies.

She added: "The specialist investigations being undertaken by the Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) remain ongoing and are expected to take some time to complete.

"We will continue to keep residents updated as further information becomes available."

Last week Clackmannanshire Council imposed a three-week road closure in Benbuck View for "ground investigations and safety reasons".

The sites have been secured, with fencing erected and security and police present to prevent unauthorised access.

An online MRA map shows that there was a mine entry on what is now Dunmoss View and the area is marked as having "past shallow coal mine workings".

The MRA said 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."