Empowering the Coalsnaughton Community in Clackmannanshire: Initiatives and Support Services

In May, nearly 100 homes in Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire, were evacuated due to ground movement associated with historical coal mining activities. The situation has raised significant concerns among residents, leading to urgent measures being taken to ensure their safety.

Recent Meetings Provide Clarity

On Thursday, 27 August, the Mining Remediation Authority convened meetings with residents affected by the situation to provide updates on ongoing investigations and the forthcoming operational activities aimed at addressing the issues. Carl Banton, the Chief Operations Director for the authority, outlined the progress made thus far.

Banton stated, “We have completed a programme of assessment work, including structural engineering assessments, ground investigations, and an appraisal of the options available to make the area safe. This has provided us with a clearer understanding of the extent of the damage and the likely next steps for each affected area and property.”

The assessments revealed that different streets are experiencing varying levels of ground movement and property damage. The most severe impacts have been identified on Benbuck View and Dunmoss View, where the damage has been deemed beyond the point of rehabilitation. Subject to obtaining the necessary approvals, the authority’s proposed course of action involves acquiring and subsequently demolishing the homes on those streets.

Support for Residents Amidst Challenges

Recognising the distress this news brings to residents and their families, Banton expressed empathy, stating, “We understand this is very difficult news for residents and their families. It is not a conclusion we have reached lightly, but it reflects the level of damage, the work required to make the ground safe, and the importance of providing people with a clear, safe, and practical path forward.”

In contrast to the more severe situations on Benbuck View and Dunmoss View, other affected areas such as Langour are seeing a different scenario. Here, ground movement has been less extensive, and repairs are anticipated to commence following the stabilisation of the ground. Additional stabilisation efforts are also planned near Nechtan Drive, along with road repairs on The Glen.

Coordinated Support Systems in Place

A dedicated support system has been established for households impacted by these developments. This includes named contacts, account managers, and a local community liaison officer, all collaborating to ensure that support is both coordinated and practical.

Banton emphasised the authority’s commitment to approaching this situation with “care, clarity, and respect,” ensuring that those most affected receive crucial information directly and have opportunities to discuss their individual circumstances.

For further inquiries, the community response team can be contacted via email at communityresponse@miningremediation.gov.uk or by telephone at 0800 288 4211. For emergency media inquiries outside of normal hours, urgent calls can be made to 0800 288 4242, with a note that only urgent media calls will be attended to.