Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has challenged the Ministry of Defence to a parliamentary debate over radiation found on Dalgety Bay beach.
The move follows discussions the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP has had with defence secretary Philip Hammond where he raised the anxieties of Dalgety Bay residents.
Mr Brown said the defence department has to act to remove the radioactive material before the worst of winter weather sets in.
And he has also asked NHS Fife to carry out a health study to try to allay fears of locals worried about the potential impact of radioactive particles found on the foreshore.
”Surveys have been done for many years but until a month ago they did not discover the level of radiation that has been reported,” he said. ”Now we know there is an issue about the safety of the area, the Ministry of Defence must accept responsibility and act.
”I want an immediate clearance of any suspect materials then after a winter of further research work I want a plan for remedial action for the area as a whole. At the same time health studies must allay people’s worries about any impact on the welfare of local people.”
Since the Scottish Environment Protection Agency began an intensive survey of the area beside Dalgety Bay Sailing Club last September, 430 sources of radiation have been found.
One piece was 10 times more radioactive than anything previously uncovered at the site while another significant source was found earlier this month.