This summer has seen several incidents where the collapse of historic coal mine shafts has impacted residential and commercial properties.
Back in May, more than 250 residents in four streets in the Scottish village of Coalsnaughton were moved out of their homes after cracks appeared in roads, paths, and homes. These ground movements were subsequently investigated by the Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) who confirmed that they were related to historic mining activity in the area:
BBC: Ground movement affecting Coalsnaughton homes is linked to coal mining
Another incident this week just four miles away in Alloa has also been linked with the collapse of historic mine workings:
BBC: Alloa mine shaft collapse ‘completely unrelated’ to Coalsnaughton
At GRM we are regularly undertake Coal Mining Risk Assessments (CMRAs) for landowners and developers. We also published an article on Britain’s Coal Mining Industry and the Impact of Remnant Mine Workings as part of a mining related series back in 2024.
Understanding the history and legacy of coal mining is essential for managing its impacts. Approximately 11% of Great Britain is located within the defined Coalfield Consultation Area, also referred to as the coal mining reporting area, and is potentially at risk from mining related hazards such as ground subsidence and mine gas emissions (as shown in the Mining Remediation Authority map opposite).
British Geological Survey /Mining Remediation Authority materials © UKRI 2026
15% of the Coalfield Consultation Area is further defined as a Development High Risk Area. Properties in Development High Risk Areas are considered to be at greater risk from shallow historic coal mining, which is the case with the two Scottish villages impacted this summer (see headline image from the Mining Remediation Authority dataset).
By recognising the risks and employing effective mitigation strategies, developers and landowners can safely navigate the challenges posed by historical coal mining.
GRM has a wealth of experience and expertise in the mining sector, indeed it is something of a specialism given the background of the two founding Directors (see: Our History page). We continue to work with a range of clients from large commercial developments to private homeowners who use our expertise to identify both recorded and unrecorded coal mine workings, and, where found, implement solutions that allow their projects to reach completion. More information can be found on our Coal Mining Risk Assessment page.
If you have any development or construction projects that may be impacted by historic mining, then please get in touch to find out how we can help save both time and costs. Please use your main point of contact at GRM or for new enquiries email info@grm-uk.com or call 01283 551249.