The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been urged to ”up its game” following an emergency meeting convened to discuss the worrying number of radioactive particles found on a Fife beach.
There has been increasing concern in recent weeks as more than 300 particles have been found on the shore at Dalgety Bay. The issue was discussed during a meeting of several agencies in Stirling on Monday.
Although the talks were held in private, The Courier understands growing unrest over the response to the worrying levels of contamination was aired.
The discussions were held at the headquarters of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and were attended by politicians, community representatives and officials from the MoD.
The radioactive material discovered at the beach dates back to a time when aircraft were scrapped at the bay.
Part of the foreshore at Dalgety Bay has been cordoned off as investigations continue.
Just last week, First Minister Alex Salmond called for the ”full cooperation” of the UK Government in addressing the issue.
He also urged the MoD to approach the finds which include a particle 10 times more radioactive than any material previously found at the site ”with an open book”.
However, Cowdenbeath MSP Helen Eadie insists the MoD’s response has been ”at best disappointing”.
She told The Courier: ”This emergency meeting was brought forward after much more significant finds of radiation were discovered in the area.
”However, I am deeply disappointed with the response from the MoD. No senior official was sent to this emergency meeting and indeed a late substitute eventually attended. It is not really good enough.
”SEPA themselves are pushing matters forward but it is time for all agencies to stop talking and get on with a plan of action to sort this matter once and for all.”
Colin McPhail, chairman of the local community council, said following the talks: ”I think today we saw some progress but overall it was very disappointing.
”By the time of the next meeting in a fortnight’s time, I want to see real some progress. The local community really want to see some urgency directed into this issue.”
When contacted by The Courier, a spokeswoman for the MoD insisted the organisation was given the issue its full attention.
”The MoD has been working with SEPA and the Dalgety Bay Forum to resolve the issues at Dalgety Bay and we have supported SEPA’s 2011 headland investigation and continue to support SEPA in disposing of any recovered items,” she said.
”The MoD will continue to work … to identify the likelihood of residual risks posed and the requirement for any remedial action once the details of the most recent SEPA findings are published.”