BRIAN LEISHMAN has called for funding from the Scottish and UK governments to help local authorities provide support to those affected by the RAAC crisis.

The newly elected Labour MP attended a meeting with a group of Tillicoultry residents who were forced out of their homes after traces of the crumbly concrete was detected last October.

Since then, those affected have been moved around homeless and temporary accommodation while also refused access to their homes to collect personal belongings.

The group met with Mr Leishman and Wilson Chowdhry, chairman of the UK RAAC Campaign Group, at the Centenary Hall in Tillicoultry on Saturday, August 24.

There, residents shared their stories with Mr Leishman, who has written to both governments to call for help, hoping for it to come sooner rather than later.

Speaking to the Advertiser, Mr Leishman said: “I would like to thank the Tillicoultry constituents impacted by RAAC for taking the time to meet with me last week and for sharing their experiences of what has happened to them over the course of the last 10 months.

“Residents not being allowed in to retrieve personal possessions and, for many, to get important legal documents like driving licences or passports adds to the incredible stress they are already experiencing by having been told to leave their homes at such short notice.

“I have written to First Minister John Swinney and his minister for housing Paul McLennan as well as UK Government colleagues Ian Murray, the secretary for state for housing for Scotland and the deputy prime minister Angela Rayner in her role as secretary of state for housing, communities and local government asking for both governments to support victims of RAAC with funding that would help local authorities come up with fair and just solutions for residents.

“I have also written to Clackmannanshire Council's chief executive about the issue.

“I will be in regular contact with the Tillicoultry residents that have been affected by this issue, they need and deserve a fair and swift resolution.”

Mr Leishman and other attendees heard stories from residents, who spoke of being given just three hours to pack bags before having to leave.

A married couple, Jimmy and Fiona Vallance, explained that they had initially been living with friends but this was unsustainable due to Jimmy’s work, eventually being rehomed in temporary accommodation in Alva.

Their furniture had been moved into a storage facility in Cowdenbeath and they have been forced to keep it there while they await answers on what happens with their homes.

Other residents spoke of the mental health implications, explaining a lack of resources available to help them.

Brian Leishman hears residents' pleas as they share their stories.Brian Leishman hears residents' pleas as they share their stories. (Image: UK RAAC Campaign Group)

The residents’ plights have been well documented in Mr Chowdhry’s blog, which he uses to keep track of RAAC developments across the country.

Mr Chowdhry writes: “One of the major points of contention among residents is the ongoing restriction on re-entry to their homes.

“Several residents reported being unable to access their properties to retrieve essential items such as passports, driving licences, and recently installed kitchen units that remain unpaid for.

“At the meeting, it was confirmed that during my discussions with the council, which included communications with senior officers, chief executive Nikki Bridle and Provost Donald Balsillie, efforts were underway to permit accompanied entry into the affected properties.

“A meeting would soon be arranged to discuss the specific parameters of this access.”

A final decision on what will happen to the three blocks of flats affected by RAAC is still to be made, with a paper outlining options for the council to debate having been delayed.

The paper was set to go before council on Thursday, August 29 before being postponed, leaving residents waiting even longer for answers.

Last week, a spokesperson for Clacks Council said: “The council recognises this is a worrying time for those concerned and can confirm that there is ongoing communication with those affected by RAAC and their representatives.

“We will continue to provide appropriate support and updates where available to those directly affected.

“Officers are currently preparing an update for councillors, which will be shared with the local stakeholder group, and a further paper, to consider the future of the RAAC evacuated properties, will be brought to council as soon as is possible."