Thornwood Avenue update: April 2023 (second update)

Information for residents

Ground collapse – Thornwood Avenue, Ayr

This fact sheet provides information about the recent ground collapse on Thornwood Avenue and the work that the Coal Authority will be required to carry out.

We understand that the ground collapse on Thornwood Avenue will be causing concern and disruption for a number of you and we thank you for your patience and understanding during the current situation. The Coal Authority were called on to site on Sunday 26th March due to a collapse within the road and grass area on Thornwood Avenue. The site has been secured to create an exclusion zone.

We have a number of processes in place to ensure public safety, these include:

  • Ground monitoring surrounding the collapse area with weekly visits to continue monitoring
  • Ongoing in-person visual monitoring (minimum of daily)
  • Remote visual monitoring
  • Stone filling for on-going movement of the collapse

Ground Investigations

It is important that we understand what has caused the collapse. The Coal Authority are aware of a recorded mine shaft in this area and the possibility of shallow coal mine seams. We will need to carry out further ground investigations to confirm if historical coal mining is the cause of this ground collapse. Phase 1 of these works is scheduled to commence on Monday 24th April and last approximately 1 – 2 weeks. This will comprise drilling of boreholes within the public grassed area at Thornwood Avenue.

How will the works affect me?

As the affected area is on an access road to properties along Thornwood Avenue, there will be some disruption to you while we carry out our works. During the site investigation drilling works there will be some noise and increased Contractor activity between the hours of 7:30 and 18:00. We do not intend to work evenings or weekends but if that should change we would inform residents of this. We will inform all residents with future key dates of our work as the project moves forward.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and are grateful for your support and patience.

Key contacts

Please contact us if there is anything you wish to discuss. The reference number for this project is P-045290.

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 Coal Authority, please visit www.gov.uk/coalauthority.