Council Considers Dalgety Bay Clean-up Plans

An important step will be taken this week - in how to deal with the radiation problem on the beach at Dalgety Bay.

Fife Council's Executive Committee is meeting to discuss the way forward, after the MOD admitted responsibility.

The foreshore's been poisoned by what's thought to be luminous instrument dials from World War 2 planes which were buried in the area.

Councillors will consider a progress report on Ministry of Defence (MOD) plans for the management strategy and timetable for progress towards the long term clean up solution to allow the public to use the area again.

The MOD’s proposed works include removing known higher activity contamination, and building a cover system. Replacing or reinforcing existing rock armour to try and stop contamination into the foreshore is also planned.

Council officers have been working with the MOD and Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) over the past few months to draw up a Memorandum of Agreement to clarify roles and responsibilities for the works and future maintenance and warranties.

The council has also made sure it understands what information will need to accompany any planning or environmental impact assessment which might be submitted to them after the Management Strategy is finalised.

Councillors will be asked to agree the council continue that engagement and ensure a timetable for implementing the work is progressed as quickly as possible.

Depute Leader Cllr Laird said: “This long running issue has caused great concern for local residents so progress towards a long term solution is to be welcomed.

“If councillors agree the recommendations in the report, more detailed work will then be done between the council, MOD and SEPA before a final management strategy is completed and any work begins.

“Key to this will also be agreements between the various landowners and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation who are leading on the project.

“In the meantime, the MOD will continue to carry out its monthly monitoring programme to reduce the risks onsite.”