City clearance deadline extended

The evacuation of Moredun Park residents is delayed

The deadline for clearing three blocks of flats in south Edinburgh because of fears about their stability has been extended by 24 hours.

It was earlier this week that the first of the householders involved started moving out of their Moredun Park homes.

Similar underground conditions had been detected there as in neighbouring Ferniehill, where a number of properties collapsed last autumn and subsequently had to be demolished.

Subsidence in old quarry workings has been blamed, for a situation described by a local councillor as unprecedented in Scotland.

All residents will be evacuated by Friday

According to city housing officials, 30 individuals and families are already out of the Moredun Park buildings.

Fourteen more, they say, will be leaving on Thursday and the final 10 on Friday.

All are joining relatives or switching to alternative accommodation. Guards started patrolling the area on Wednesday night and security fencing is being erected.

On Monday examination of the site will start, with bore holes being drilled and sonar probes used.

It was disclosed on Wednesday that investigators are also to check about 12 more spots in Edinburgh as a precaution.

The Scottish Executive has said it will consider providing financial aid for the residents who have to move home.

An executive spokeswoman said it had set up a co-ordination group to provide support for Edinburgh City Council.