A clean-up operation to deal with radioactive contamination on the beach at Dalgety Bay in Fife will get under way next year. The stretch of coastline affected is contaminated with radium from scrapped aircraft instrument panels. The MoD had previously said it expected the long-running saga to be resolved by the end of 2018. But the project to remove the hazardous radium is now expected to start in April next year. The scheme will not be completed until September 2021 as there are restrictions on when work can take place due to the potential disturbance to wintering birds. Deidre Brock MP, the SNP’s environment spokeswoman at Westminster, said: “It’s three decades since radioactive particles were first found on the beach at Dalgety Bay and the MoD held out for years by insisting that it wasn’t responsible. “Even now there is dither and delay. “Spring storms brought more particles to the surface last year and the delays are symptomatic of the way that successive UK governments have shown complete disregard for the welfare of people living near places where dangerous materials have been dumped.” She added: “It’s simply not good enough, this has gone on for far too long and the damage done to the environment is incalculable. The remediation work will involve nearly 30,000 tonnes of rock armour – delivered by barge – being installed at the foreshore. A replacement slipway will be constructed at the Dalgety Bay Sailing Club, which lies at the centre of the affected area.
BBC 30th April 2019 read more »