Residents of Tillicoultry Endure Ongoing Anguish Amid RAAC Crisis and Communication Failures by Clackmannanshire Council

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Tillicoultry, Scotland — Residents of Tillicoultry, especially those from Park Street, are facing significant distress due to the ongoing RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) crisis and a troubling lack of communication from Clackmannanshire Council. Following a recent story in the Alloa Advertiser (click here), several tenants of former council homes have reached out to Mr. Chowdhry, Chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, enabling him to gather and address the broader issues affecting council tenants.

A former resident of Park Street shares a poignant account of the upheaval experienced since the evacuation due to the presence of RAAC in the flats. Following the evacuation, Lisa-Jane  Simpson and her 16-year-old son were initially placed in a homeless flat in Clackmannan and have since been residing in a temporary flat in Alva since December 2023.

"The temporary flat in Alva has become a semblance of stability for us, and I fervently hope it becomes our permanent tenancy. The thought of another upheaval is unbearable, especially for my son, who faced severe mental health challenges when we had to leave our home in October 2023," Mrs Simpson expressed.

Since relocating to Alva, Mrs Simpson reports receiving little to no updates regarding the status of their home on Park Street. Most information is gleaned from fellow homeowners of other affected properties—Chapelle Crescent, High Street, and the resident's own block of flats—or through the Alloa Advertiser newspaper.

"I find this absolutely shocking. It feels as though I don't matter because I'm a council tenant. That flat was my home too!" Mrs Simpson emphasized.

Compounding the distress is the fate of personal belongings left behind in Park Street. Items that were meant to be placed in storage were inexplicably left behind when the resident was evacuated. These possessions, holding significant sentimental value, remain in the now-boarded-up flat, raising concerns about their condition due to the lack of air circulation.

Keith Shearer, another former resident of Park Street, shares similar frustration: "I lived at Park Street, Tillicoultry, and I would be interested in a re-entry as I have an item of personal value that was not removed because it was screwed into the wall. I have been waiting since December for Clackmannanshire Council to get back to me about having it returned."

The residents' stories highlight a broader issue affecting many Tillicoultry residents: the insufficient communication and support from Clackmannanshire Council during this crisis. The residents call for more transparency, timely updates, and a compassionate approach to their predicament.

Mr. Chowdhry has called for a more coordinated approach and improved communication between the housing team and tenants. In response, he proposed the creation of a dedicated WhatsApp group for council tenants, which the council has agreed to consider. A meeting is scheduled for today (15.07.2024) to discuss this proposal further. Additionally, the council has already agreed to include former council tenants on a list for re-entry to their properties to retrieve personal belongings. Mr. Chowdhry has also been contacted by a private tenant facing a range of issues (click here). The council has clarified that the private tenant's landlord should be the primary contact but has agreed to engage with the landlord on matters of shared responsibility and to remind them of their obligations.

Mr. Chowdhry was heartened earlier this month by the swift response from Nikki Bridle, Chief Executive of Clackmannanshire Council, to his request for accompanied re-entry and a realistic risk assessment for removing items screwed to walls. In an email dated July 4th, she stated: "Thank you for your letter dated 4 July, in connection with the above. I have asked Pete Leonard, Strategic Director, Place, to look into the matter which you have raised and to provide you with a response as soon as practicably possible. I trust that this is acceptable to you."

This sentiment was echoed by Provost Donald Balsillie of Clackmannanshire Council, who responded on July 9th with an equally supportive message: "Thank you for your e-mail concerning the above and highlighting some of the issues involved. I have great sympathy for all those affected and am in contact with our housing spokesperson Cllr Jane McTaggart to do what is possible to resolve the access to and future of the properties affected."

Mr. Chowdhry expressed his hope for a swift decision from Clackmannanshire Council to establish a WhatsApp group for council tenants, which he believes could provide some comfort to the distressed community.

"We are awaiting a decision on whether accompanied re-entry will be permitted for former residents to retrieve their valued possessions from their homes," Mr. Chowdhry stated. "There is optimism that a reassessment of risks may allow more items to be recovered by the community."

Amidst the unfolding RAAC crisis, Mr. Chowdhry emphasized the critical importance of Clackmannanshire Council addressing the needs and concerns of all affected residents. He stressed the necessity for residents to receive the information and support required to navigate this challenging period effectively.