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Solution for radioactive Dalgety Bay beach 'no closer' | Solution for radioactive Dalgety Bay beach 'no closer' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A solution to radioactive contamination on a Fife beach appears to be no closer following an announcement from the Ministry of Defence. | A solution to radioactive contamination on a Fife beach appears to be no closer following an announcement from the Ministry of Defence. |
It had been given until the end of the month to prepare a draft plan to tackle the problem of radioactive particles on the shore at Dalgety Bay. | It had been given until the end of the month to prepare a draft plan to tackle the problem of radioactive particles on the shore at Dalgety Bay. |
UK defence minister Andrew Robathan said they were continuing to work on a credible plan but gave no details. | UK defence minister Andrew Robathan said they were continuing to work on a credible plan but gave no details. |
The radiation is thought to be linked to remains of World War II aircraft. | The radiation is thought to be linked to remains of World War II aircraft. |
He also said the MoD was working in a voluntary capacity with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) and did not at present accept full liability for the problem. | He also said the MoD was working in a voluntary capacity with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) and did not at present accept full liability for the problem. |
'Willing to help' | 'Willing to help' |
The Tory MP said: "Who knows who's liable. We're not denying liability but I think we need to be quite clear how this contamination has come about. | The Tory MP said: "Who knows who's liable. We're not denying liability but I think we need to be quite clear how this contamination has come about. |
"For instance, there has been industrial sites. I understand there has been a ship-breaking yard just down the way. | "For instance, there has been industrial sites. I understand there has been a ship-breaking yard just down the way. |
"There's been earth movement which of course has disturbed a great deal of stuff. There's been housing estates built. | "There's been earth movement which of course has disturbed a great deal of stuff. There's been housing estates built. |
"We don't say that we are not in any way willing to help. We are willing to help. But I don't think you would expect us to accept liability before we know exactly what the situation is. | "We don't say that we are not in any way willing to help. We are willing to help. But I don't think you would expect us to accept liability before we know exactly what the situation is. |
"We are therefore looking at this and we are willing to co-operate with the environment protection agency and others to find exactly what the situation is and then we can determine who is responsible for clearing it up, if there is a need to clear it up." | "We are therefore looking at this and we are willing to co-operate with the environment protection agency and others to find exactly what the situation is and then we can determine who is responsible for clearing it up, if there is a need to clear it up." |
Former Prime Minister, Gordon Brown said: "I am concerned that the language being used by the minister suggests that the MoD involvement is purely on a voluntary basis." | Former Prime Minister, Gordon Brown said: "I am concerned that the language being used by the minister suggests that the MoD involvement is purely on a voluntary basis." |
The Labour MP said: "I want to make clear that the MoD have a responsibility for this situation and I am clear that they have duty to take whatever steps are necessary to make the area safe and secure." | The Labour MP said: "I want to make clear that the MoD have a responsibility for this situation and I am clear that they have duty to take whatever steps are necessary to make the area safe and secure." |
SNP MSP Annabelle Ewing said she was disappointed the Ministry of Defence was not taking responsibility for remedial action. | |
She said: "This is a hugely disappointing development not only for the people of Fife but for the people of Scotland. | |
"The MoD must accept full responsibility for cleaning up all radioactive material at Dalgety Bay." | |
She added: "The MoD doesn't appear to be treating this situation as seriously as it should. It needs to accept liability, work with Sepa on a remediation plan and make Dalgety Bay the safe place it should be." | |
Over the past few months more than 200 radioactive particles have been found and part of the shore was cordoned off in October for further investigation. | Over the past few months more than 200 radioactive particles have been found and part of the shore was cordoned off in October for further investigation. |
Dalgety Bay hosted a wartime airfield, where many aircraft were dismantled. | Dalgety Bay hosted a wartime airfield, where many aircraft were dismantled. |
They were used as landfill and it is thought erosion has led to radioactive radium from the aircraft dials leaking on to the foreshore. | They were used as landfill and it is thought erosion has led to radioactive radium from the aircraft dials leaking on to the foreshore. |
After a meeting between Sepa, the MoD and members of the local community in November, Sepa said it wanted a draft of the MoD's plan for the site by the end of January, with a final set of plans by the end of February. | After a meeting between Sepa, the MoD and members of the local community in November, Sepa said it wanted a draft of the MoD's plan for the site 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," a spokesman said. | "If that isn't forthcoming, Sepa will continue with its progress to designate the land as contaminated by the end of March," a spokesman said. |
If Sepa did declare the area as "Radioactive Contaminated Land", it is understood this would be the first time it has happened in the UK. | If Sepa did declare the area as "Radioactive Contaminated Land", it is understood this would be the first time it has happened in the UK. |
Sepa said it was optimistic it would receive a draft of the plans but it was still yet to receive them. | Sepa said it was optimistic it would receive a draft of the plans but it was still yet to receive them. |
Chairman of Dalgety Bay and Hillend Community Council Colin McPhail said this was the last thing residents wanted. | Chairman of Dalgety Bay and Hillend Community Council Colin McPhail said this was the last thing residents wanted. |
He told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "It's a requirement certainly and responsibility of the Ministry of Defence on a voluntary basis to come up, to solve this problem and carry out remedial works and solve it once and for all - and that should be this year." | He told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "It's a requirement certainly and responsibility of the Ministry of Defence on a voluntary basis to come up, to solve this problem and carry out remedial works and solve it once and for all - and that should be this year." |
MoD representatives also met with Sepa, the Scottish government and members of the Dalgety Bay Forum in November, describing the talks as "constructive". | MoD representatives also met with Sepa, the Scottish government and members of the Dalgety Bay Forum in November, describing the talks as "constructive". |