30 homes evacuated in Clackmannanshire's Dunmoss View after ground movement
Thirty homes in Dunmoss View in clackmannanshire were evacuated on Wednesday after ground movement was detected, adding to a wider displacement already affecting nearby residents. Ellen Forson, the Clackmannanshire Council leader, said more streets could not be ruled out as investigations continue.
The evacuation follows an earlier move a week ago, when 30 homes in the adjacent Benbuck View were told to leave. Some residents have been staying in temporary accommodation and with relatives, while others were allowed back briefly on Thursday to collect personal items.
Ellen Forson on Dunmoss View
Forson said: “Obviously this time last week it was one street and there were no indications that another street would be impacted.” She added: “Then yesterday we saw there was another street, so I think it's natural to be a bit worried that there could be other streets involved.”
She said: “At this time we can't rule out anything, but the Mining Remediation Authority are the experts on this, they're leading the site investigations and we'll hear back from them if anything else changes.” The authority's map shows a mine entry on what is now Dunmoss View, and the area is marked as having past shallow coal mine workings.
Margo Brown's Dunmoss View house
Margo Brown was among those evacuated from Dunmoss View on Wednesday. She said her husband spotted a new gap between their gate and the gate post earlier this week, and that the step at the front door had moved. She also said there had been movement on the slabs outside her door.
Brown said: “He came into the house and said 'I think we're moving', and that was it.” She added: “The step at the front door has moved so you can get your fingers right in.”
She said: “You're waiting about all day trying to find out what's going to happen, then we got an email saying, no it's OK, you don't have to get out.” Brown added: “Then 20 minutes later, 'all out, everybody out'.”
Coalsnaughton investigations
The latest evacuation took place after the earlier Benbuck View move, which means 60 homes in the village have now been told to leave because of ground movement. Brown and her family were allowed back on Thursday to retrieve personal items, while the site investigations led by the Mining Remediation Authority continue.
