Experts have said they are yet to establish the cause of ongoing ground movement at a former mining village, more than a month after it was first reported.
Dozens of homes in Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire, were evacuated for safety reasons last month after ground movement was discovered in a number of streets.
The Mining Remediation Authority (MRA), which has launched an eight-week investigation, said movement in two affected streets has “reduced” – but that it is still ongoing.
Carl Banton, chief operation director for the MRA, said: “We understand how difficult it is for residents to be away from their homes and we are working as quickly as possible to provide clarity.
Work is continuing to help us understand what is happening below the surface
“Whilst ground movement at Benbuck View and Dunmoss View has reduced, there is still ongoing movement, and while our investigations are ongoing we are not yet able to confirm the cause or how long residents will be out of their properties.
“Our experience shows that once we understand the cause and movement stops it is important to monitor the situation for a period of time, typically at least six months, before remedial works and repairs can begin.
“We will share clear timescales as soon as we have a fuller understanding of the position.”
He added: “Work is continuing to help us understand what is happening below the surface.”
The MRA was one of a number of organisations that provided an update to affected residents at a meeting on June 23.
Mr Banton said this included details of investigations carried out to date and what the MRA plans to do “over the next few weeks”.
This includes, he said, “installing monitoring equipment in the boreholes that we have drilled which will provide essential data to help us understand whether ground movement has stabilised”.
He added: “Our thoughts remain with the residents affected and we would like to assure the community that we are doing all we can, as quickly as possible, alongside the local resilience partnership to understand the cause of this incident.”
A report presented to Clackmannanshire Council on Thursday said the issue was first reported on May 18 by residents on Benbuck View after they heard “loud noises” and “witnessed damage within their properties within a short period of time”.
The report added: “On-site observations showed cracking and what appeared to be movement of roads, footpaths, gardens, drives and damage to properties.”
Evacuations from the street began the same day and by May 29 nearly 100 homes in four streets in the village had been evacuated.
Supplies of gas, electricity and water were also isolated from many of the homes on or around the evacuation dates.
Council leader Ellen Forson said the authority is “still in the emergency response phase” of the incident.
“This ongoing emergency incident is unprecedented in our area and my overriding thoughts remain firmly with our residents who are directly affected by the ground movement and the subsequent evacuations,” she said.
“This continues to be a hugely unsettling and worrying time for them, and the ongoing disruption to their lives simply cannot be overstated.
“I welcome the report as it does give valuable insight into the complex work council officers are undertaking as part of the multi-agency response to this emergency.
She added that council officers and its partners will “continue to do their best to provide ongoing support and keep residents informed as this situation progresses”.
First Minister John Swinney visited the village earlier this month, where he took part in a meeting with the organisations responding to the incident.
A few days later the Government pledged an additional £1 million to the council to help it deal with what Mr Swinney called an “exceptional and unforeseen event”.
Nikki Bridle, chief executive of Clackmannanshire Council, said: “The priority of all local resilience partners continues to be the safety and welfare of everyone involved, and that includes staff, contractors and residents accessing the site.
“Our officers continue to work tirelessly to support residents during what we appreciate is an extremely worrying and uncertain time.
“Clackmannanshire Council continues to engage directly with residents impacted by this incident and provide support to those residents with temporary accommodation and other welfare related support.”
Further information on the Coalsnaughton ground movement can be found on Clackmannanshire Council’s website.