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MoD given deadline over radioactive Dalgety Bay beach | MoD given deadline over radioactive Dalgety Bay beach |
(40 minutes later) | |
Scotland's environmental watchdog has given the MoD until the end of February to devise a plan to make safe a Fife beach contaminated with radioactivity. | |
Sepa said that if the deadline was not met the land at Dalgety Bay would be declared officially contaminated. | |
The radiation is thought to be linked to the remains of wartime aircraft buried in the area. | The radiation is thought to be linked to the remains of wartime aircraft buried in the area. |
Over the past few months more than 200 radioactive particles have been discovered. | Over the past few months more than 200 radioactive particles have been discovered. |
The area was cordoned off last month for further investigation into radioactive sources. | The area was cordoned off last month for further investigation into radioactive sources. |
The radioactivity is thought to come from dials of World War II aircraft. | The radioactivity is thought to come from dials of World War II aircraft. |
Dalgety Bay hosted a wartime airfield, where many aircraft were dismantled. | Dalgety Bay hosted a wartime airfield, where many aircraft were dismantled. |
Community risk | |
The dials in the planes were coated with radioactive radium so they could be read at night. | The dials in the planes were coated with radioactive radium so they could be read at night. |
They were later used as landfill and it is thought that erosion has led to leaks into the sea which have washed onto the foreshore. | |
Following a meeting between Sepa, the MoD and members of the local community, Sepa's radioactivity specialist Dr Paul Dale told BBC Scotland: "We have set out a timetable that we expect a full draft of the MoD's plan by the end of January with a final set of plans by the end of February. | |
"If that isn't forthcoming, Sepa will continue with its progress to designate the land as contaminated by the end of March." | |
The MoD has not yet issued a response to the deadline but has said it would continue to work with Sepa and the local community to find a resolution. | |
Radioactive particles were first found on the beach more than 20 years ago. | |
However, there has recently been an increase in the number of particles found, with more than 100 discovered since the beginning of October. | |
One particle was 10-times more radioactive than those found previously. | |
Sepa recently said that if exposed through erosion the material could pose a risk to the community. | Sepa recently said that if exposed through erosion the material could pose a risk to the community. |
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown earlier called for urgent action to tackle the problem. | Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown earlier called for urgent action to tackle the problem. |