RESIDENTS in a Scottish town who were evacuated following ground movements will be homeless for a further two months while an investigation is carried out.
Almost 100 properties in Coalsnaughton – a former mining village in Clackmannanshire – began being evacuated on May 18, with four streets now impacted after reports of "unsafe structures".
The National previously spoke with those affected, including one local who said he was alerted by his neighbours of the incident after he went to put his bins out and discovered them “walking up and down the street” looking at cracks that had formed in the street’s monoblock.
But now, the council has confirmed that the investigation will take another eight weeks, during which residents will not be allowed to return to their homes.
Clackmannanshire Council and the Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) released a joint statement following the meeting.
Nikki Bridle, the council's chief executive, said: "During the meeting Carl Banton, chief operation director for the Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) explained that work is continuing at pace to establish the cause of this incident.
"A further eight weeks will be needed for the MRA to investigate the cause of the ground movement.
"Carl outlined the works that have been undertaken and shared images to help residents understand how the ground is moving."
She added: "The priority of all local resilience partners continues to be the safety and welfare of everyone involved, our officers remain in the local area to provide guidance and support to residents during what we appreciate is a worrying and uncertain time.
"Our thoughts are with the residents affected by this incident, and we understand that this news will be concerning for them."
Clackmannanshire Council has asked the Scottish Government for financial support.
Asked about the latest timescale, First Minister John Swinney said he would be "very happy" to visit the area.
He added: "The justice secretary Neil Gray, who is responsible for resilience issues within the government, has been in active engagement with Clackmannanshire Council and obviously we will be taking forward these discussions.
"And once the position is clearer, we will have definitive commitments to make to Clackmannanshire Council and to the residents."
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour MP Brian Leishman also brought up the issue during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday. He raised the “life changing" stress of families evacuated from their homes and said they're looking to the UK Government for help.
Keir Starmer responded by saying that the MRA is working as fast as possible, adding that an energy minister in touch with MSPs.
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