Published: Wednesday, 26th March, 2008 12:00
Work progresses following Kincardine mine collapses
By Bob Lovik
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One of the holes to appear in Kincardine following the collapse of old disused mineworkings.
Pic by: David Robertson
AN END may be in sight for Kincardine residents who have seen their street turned upside down by a recent series of coal mine collapses.
The Advertiser reported last month on a series of collapses of disused shallow coal workings that have played havoc with Riverside Terrace.
An engineer with the Coal Authority, the organisation charged with securing and stabilising the mines, said that while there is still much to be done, work in filling the mines with cement has progressed past the halfway point.
Engineer Tom Currie said, “We are on the right side of it now. There is still a fair bit to go but the end is finally in sight.
“We are beginning to see some signs that the mines are starting to fill up and it is possible it could be completed by the end of this week.”
That will be good news for residents of Riverside Terrace who have been effected by the collapses.
Residents have had to endure a number of inconveniences that include having their water turned off when the initial collapse in February burst a water main, a broken sewer system, removal from their homes and the closure of their street for the past month.
Riverside Terrace was scheduled to open yesterday (Wednesday) but a representative from Fife Council could not guarantee that would happen.
Despite all of the upheaval, there has been no signs yet that any of the houses have been in danger due to the collapses.
Mr Currie added, “The mining in the area is substantial but we are happy that we have secured the grounds. There has been no fear for the structures of the homes but some families had to be temporarily moved from their homes because of issues with accessibility to footpaths.”
Water is being pumped out of an isolated section of the broken sewer system damaged in one of the collapses.
The work is being done by the Coal Authority who have been given advice from Scottish Water.
A spokesperson for Scottish Water told the Advertiser, “We have advised the coal company on the broken sewer when the mine collapsed.
“They have pumping equipment in place to deal with any leakage.
“Once the site is declared safe we will visit again to assess the damage to the sewer and agree appropriate action with the coal company.”
One of the more bizarre stories to come out of this fiasco has been reports of a surge in the local rat population due to the situation underground.
Mr Currie told the Advertiser that any exodus of rats probably wouldn’t come from grouting that fills the mines up with cement.
He said, “If there has been an increase in rats in the area, it is difficult to imagine any connection between rats and the grouting.
“If rats would come from anywhere it would be from the broken sewer.”
Kincardine councillor Willie Ferguson has been closely monitoring the situation and told the Advertiser, “It is unfortunate this has happened and I am concerned about the residents.
“I’ve been visiting every night and I can say that things are progressing.
“The Coal Authority are doing all they can and have been working with the residents to keep them informed. The situation has been handled very well.”
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