Dewar Avenue update: 12 May 2025
Information for residents
This briefing provides information following the public meeting on 2 May
Public meeting
We appreciated the opportunity to meet with residents to provide an update on our investigations into the cause of the subsidence incident affecting several properties on Dewar Avenue. We understand that this incident is concerning for residents and we will keep you regularly updated with progress on this web page.
Our investigations
Thank you for your patience while we’ve completed our investigations. During the meeting, we advised that the results of the borehole investigations have confirmed the cause is linked to historical coal mining, and we will therefore accept liability for the damage.
We’ve spoken to the owners of the directly affected properties to explain what this means for them and we’ll continue to support and update them on an individual basis.
We’re also continuing to monitor the community centre to establish if it is safe to reopen, as we understand it is an important local resource. In the meantime, the centre will remain closed.
Concerns about subsidence damage
We understand that residents are concerned about the safety of the area and their properties.
We have fenced off the affected properties for safety and continue to carry out structural surveys to assess their condition and identify whether there has been further movement. As the affected properties are currently unoccupied, we have installed security cameras and are liaising with the local police to request additional patrols in the area.
We’ve also installed movement monitors in the surrounding area which show there has been no movement in the wider area.
If you are concerned that your property has been affected by subsidence damage, please let us know by completing a damage notice form and sending it to customerservice@miningremediation.gov.uk. Detailed information about your rights under the Coal Mining Subsidence Act 1991 and a copy of the form can be found on our website. We will then arrange an inspection of your property.
What happens next?
We have now completed our investigations. We will continue to monitor the properties and the surrounding area for any additional movement.
Our investigations, together with information from the ground monitoring and the structural surveys will help us to understand the impact of the subsidence damage. Our independent engineers are currently reviewing this information which will inform decisions about appropriate next steps.
We will provide a further update once we have more information, and will continue to speak directly with the residents whose properties have been affected.
At the meeting, residents understandably had a number of questions. We’ve provided a summary of these below:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What has caused the subsidence? | The Mining Remediation Authority exists to manage the legacy from Britain’s coal mining past. Around 25% of homes and businesses are located above former coal mines and the vast majority of people will never experience any problems from that. For those who do we are here to provide support, expertise and practical help. We have been able to confirm that historical coal mining is responsible for the subsidence damage. |
| Is the wider area affected? How do we know we are safe? | We realise this is concerning. As well as monitoring the directly affected properties, we have installed monitoring in the wider area to identify any movement. The monitoring data we’ve collected so far shows there has been no movement in the wider area. These monitors will remain in place during our works, and possibly afterwards, to provide ongoing reassurance to residents. If you believe your property might be affected by subsidence damage please submit a damage notice to customerservice@miningremediation.gov.uk and we will arrange an inspection of your property to ensure that it is safe. |
| Will the investigation reports be published? | Our investigations into the incident are complete, and we are reviewing reports from different sources, including structural engineers, movement monitors and ground investigations. Once we have reached conclusions based on this data, we will update residents. |
| How will this incident affect my property value? What about when I want to remortgage or sell the property? | Our experience shows that work undertaken by the Mining Remediation Authority does not affect house prices, but we cannot provide any guarantee of this. In terms of future property values in general, it’s important to note there are many factors that influence the value of property. To support homeowners trying to sell or remortgage their property, we will be happy to speak to lenders and estate agents to provide reassurance and further information. |
| We’ve been asked to notify our insurance about the subsidence. What should we tell them about this? | The Association of British Insurers advises homeowners affected by coal mining subsidence damage to notify their insurer. However, it’s important to note that any claims for coal mining subsidence damage are the responsibility of the Mining Remediation Authority, under the terms of the Coal Mining Subsidence Act 1991. This means that we are required to make good any such damage, with no costs falling on the property owner, mortgage lender or insurer. If you would like any help with explaining the current situation to your insurer, please let us know and we can provide a letter that can be shared with them. |
Key contacts
Please contact us if there is anything you wish to discuss. The reference number for this project is I-384443.
Customer Services Team
If you have any questions about our work please call our customer services team on 0345 762 6848 or 01623 637 000 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm or email us at customerservice@coal.gov.uk.
To report an emergency, please contact: 0800 288 4242 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) For more information about the Mining Remediation Authority, please visit www.gov.uk/mining-remediation-authority.