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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 next March to clear Dalgety Bay in Fife of all radioactive material. 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 would be declared contaminated. 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.
Wartime airfield
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.