THE UK Government will cover a potential “tens of millions” of pounds in costs to deal with ground movement in Coalsnaughton after it was formally linked to historic mining.
The Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) has completed an eight‑week investigation and found that former mining activity is responsible for the ongoing movement.
Ninety‑seven households have been evacuated since May as cracks appeared in roads, paths and homes in the former pit village, with streets fenced off and utilities cut off to affected properties.
The MRA’s findings mean responsibility for dealing with the incident sits with the UK Government under mining subsidence rules.
UK energy minister Michael Shanks, who visited Coalsnaughton on Monday to meet residents and local officials, said the response could run into “tens of millions” but insisted there is no cap on what ministers will spend.
He said all costs would be met by the UK Government, including money already spent by Clackmannanshire Council and the Scottish Government, with the bill to be covered from the Treasury reserve as a one‑off, unexpected cost.
Mr Shanks stressed that residents would be protected under mining subsidence legislation, which requires the UK Government to fund the cost of making homes safe where damage is linked to historic coal workings.
Those rules mean the Government will pay for remediation, with options including buying the worst‑affected properties at their pre‑incident market value and helping owners to relocate where necessary.
The MRA has said households will be told in the coming weeks what this means for their individual homes once monitoring and assessments are complete.
The authority said the “safety and welfare of residents” remains its priority and that it is working closely with Clackmannanshire Council and the local resilience partnership to provide support.
It has contacted all affected households to explain the next steps and is offering assistance through temporary accommodation, a community hub in Coalsnaughton, a dedicated website and a helpline, pledging to “keep you informed at every stage of this recovery phase”.
Brian Leishman, MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, said the MRA report brought “much‑needed clarity” after weeks of “unimaginable hardship” for residents.
He said: “Every circumstance is unique, but everyone had to endure uncertainty over the future and understandable distress.
"I have heard many of their stories directly, it has been an incredibly difficult and stressful time for all, and my heart breaks every time I learn about what people have been going through.
“Up until now, communication with the affected residents has not been good enough.
"Going forward, people deserve clear and accurate information, presented with their wellbeing in mind and I will continue to emphasise this point to the MRA.”
Mr Leishman said his office would “continue working in the background to assist people where possible” and urged residents to get in touch if they needed support.
Clackmannanshire MSP Keith Brown said confirmation of mining responsibility was a “major breakthrough” that “must mark the end of uncertainty and the beginning of action”.
He said: “This is the news that residents have been waiting months to hear. While it will not undo the anxiety, upheaval and distress they have endured, it finally provides the clarity that families deserve and establishes responsibility.”
Mr Brown said the priority now had to be “ensuring residents receive the support they need, that work to make the area safe proceeds without delay, and that everyone affected has a clear pathway forward”, and warned there could be “no excuses for delay” from the UK Government or the MRA.
He also highlighted the Scottish Government’s £1 million emergency funding for Clackmannanshire Council’s response and praised the efforts of council staff, emergency services and partner agencies in supporting residents through what he described as an “unprecedented” situation for the area.
Ground movement was first reported to the council on May 18 by residents in Benbuck View, who described hearing loud noises and seeing damage appear inside their homes within a short period of time, with evacuations beginning the same day and later expanding to Dunmoss View, Nechtan Drive and Langour.
Clackmannanshire Council chief executive Nikki Bridle said the authority recognised the “considerable disruption, uncertainty and distress” residents had endured since leaving their homes, and remained committed to supporting them through the next phase.
She said the council would continue working with the MRA as it contacts households to explain its findings and would update residents at a further meeting where next steps and ongoing support will be set out.
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