A scenic stretch of a Fife beach could be forever designated as ”contaminated land” and placed out of bounds following the discovery of yet more radioactive particles.
Environmental watchdog SEPA said members of the public in Dalgety Bay would be placed ”at significant risk” if the contaminated material is not removed.
The warning was issued as the Ministry of Defence (MoD) came under increased pressure to take responsibility for the contaminated materials.
Confirmation of the discovery of yet another ”significant source” of radioactivity came on Tuesday, and less than 24 hours after an emergency meeting was convened to discuss recent finds.
More than 300 particles have now been unearthed in the last few days. An area of the beach has been cordoned off as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, there is growing unrest over the MoD’s response to the finds.
Local Councillor Alice McGarry accused the MoD of failing to take responsibility for the contamination.
It is thought the radioactive material dates to a time when aircraft were scrapped at the bay. More than two decades on, Ms McGarry insisted the time for talking is over.
”What I have seen from the MoD is an exercise in obfuscation and evasion,” she said. ”After 20 years of knowing about this problem and its cause, the MoD is still trying to evade responsibility.”
Scottish ministers have demanded that, as the MoD is deemed responsible for polluting the land, it must pay for it to be cleaned up. But Ms McGarry fears the MoD is determined to avoid shelling out to remedy the problem which has vexed a generation of locals but which now seems to be reaching a worrying peak.
”I have little faith that the MoD will accept its obligations without being forced to do so through legal action,” she continued.
The councillor believes a radical solution may now be required.
”Should the MoD not come forward with proposals to remediate the contamination, it may be necessary for SEPA to designate the site as radioactive contaminated land,” Ms McGarry said.
Officers from SEPA who have been undertaking recovery work at Dalgety Bay confirmed details of the latest find.Risk if exposed”The source, or sources, appear to be buried at depth and will require a specialist team and equipment to remove them,” a spokesman revealed. ”We have advised the MoD of the find and have requested that the MoD support us in recovering the sources so as to remove the significant hazard.”
According to the environmental watchdog, there is no time to lose.
”If the sources were to be exposed through erosion and mobilisation over the winter period, they would pose a risk to the Dalgety Bay community,” the spokesman said.
Monday’s meeting was attended by representatives from the MoD, the Scottish Government, the food standards agency, Fife Council, the health protection agency, NHS Fife and the community.
Although the meeting was held in private, The Courier understand SEPA warned delegates of ”a number of caches of contamination” which need to be dealt with to prevent the release of potentially harmful material into the environment.
While SEPA is keen to see the development of an ”appropriate long-term remediation plan” for Dalgety Bay, officials warn that, in the absence of a suitable plan, the area may ultimately have to be designated as Radioactive Contaminated Land.
SEPA is advising anyone using the beach not to remove any material and to wash their hands following their visit. A spokeswoman for the MoD insisted it was working hard to resolve the issues.
”The MoD will continue to work … to identify the likelihood of residual risks posed and requirement for any remedial action once the details of the most recent SEPA findings are published, she said.”