Nearly 100 homes evacuated after reports of ground movement in former mining village

Nearly 100 homes have been evacuated in a former mining village after reports of ground movement.

Coalsnaughton in Clackmannanshire was established in the late 18th century specifically to house employees of the local coal mines.

Authorities began evacuations as a precaution due to reported "unsafe structures," buckling pavements, and cracked building walls.

An investigation has been launched and remains ongoing.

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The local council confirmed the gas supply to residents on Nechtan Drive was disconnected on Thursday as a precautionary measure due to ground movement in the area.

The street was also evacuated, with 28 people being forced to move.

Dunmoss View and Langour were also evacuated this week.

The first 30 residents were moved from Benbuck View on May 18, but in recent days, that figure has jumped to 97.

Aaron Anderson told BBC Scotland News his family had been moved into an Airbnb in Grangemouth, with "stress levels high".

Nikki Bridle, chief executive of Clackmannanshire Council, 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 2026.

"The evacuation is being carried out in a controlled manner and residents are being supported by council officers and partner agencies throughout the process

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"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."

The Mining Remediation Authority is conducting specialist investigations, which are expected to take "some time" to complete.

Ms Bridle added: "We will continue to keep residents updated as further information becomes available."

Historical mining maps show that the affected streets sit directly over a mine entry and past shallow coal mine workings.

It has raised fears that abandoned coal mines may be collapsing.

Teams are currently conducting drilling, trial digs, and property inspections.

They have also installed ground sensors and cameras to monitor further shifting.

The council refused to rule out the possibility of further street evacuations.

Clackmannanshire Council Chief Executive Nikki Bridle said: "Following ongoing investigations into ground movement in Coalsnaughton, a decision was taken yesterday afternoon (29 May) 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 2026. The evacuation is being carried out in a controlled manner and residents are being supported by Council officers and partner agencies throughout the process.

"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.

"The specialist investigations being undertaken by the Mining Remediation Authority remain ongoing and are expected to take some time to complete. We will continue to keep residents updated as further information becomes available."

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