Possibility of submarine dismantling at Rosyth not welcomed by all
There was mixed reaction on Thursday night when it was disclosed that Rosyth could be set to be the chosen base for dismantling nuclear submarines.
Part of the dockyard at Rosyth.
- By Paul Reoch
- Published in the Courier : 24.12.10
- Published online : 24.12.10 @ 09.41am
The move would see the west Fife site remove medium-level reactor contamination compartments from what it is believed to be around 27 submarines.
MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Murdo Fraser gave his support to the possible move and said it would be "fantastic news" for Fife — but local politicians Councillor Bill Walker and Ian Chisholm both expressed concern at what may happen with the contaminated waste.
Devonport in Plymouth won the contract to refit the Trident submarine fleet in 1993.
Seven decommissioned submarines are currently at Rosyth and The Courier previously revealed that two of them sprang leaks in their outer hulls. The leaks were subsequently plugged.
It has been estimated that it costs the Ministry of Defence (MoD) around £1 million to store the submarines at Rosyth and now it has emerged that the Submarine Dismantling Project (SDP) has proposed Rosyth and Devonport as possible sites for dismantling additional nuclear submarines. Rosyth has a licensed store on its site.
The purpose of the SDP is to develop a solution for the disposal of the UK's nuclear submarines after they have left service with the Royal Navy.
A statement issued by the SDP says, "The Submarine Dismantling Project is consulting certain government bodies on a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) that identifies and considers any potentially significant environmental effects of submarine dismantling activities.
"This second stage of statutory consultation will consider the detailed scope of the SEA including the names of potential candidate sites for the removal of the radioactive elements of the submarine — a process called 'initial dismantling.' These sites are Devonport and Rosyth royal dockyards.
"A further period of environmental assessment and analysis of the various options for submarine dismantling will follow statutory consultation to confirm the candidate sites for initial dismantling. This work will form the basis for public consultation which we are currently planning to undertake in the second half of 2011.
"Decisions on the project will only be taken once the MoD has completed its analysis, taking into account the SEA and public consultation responses."
Mr Fraser said he believed it would be a massive boost to Fife if the contract came to Rosyth and stressed he has lodged a parliamentary motion backing Rosyth as the chosen base.
"It would be fantastic news for the Fife economy and the workforce based at the Rosyth dockyard if Rosyth was awarded the Submarine Dismantling Project," he told The Courier. "This is a massive project and the MoD has identified either Rosyth or Devonport in England as the two potential sites.
"If Rosyth was awarded this project then it would be another boost to the area after retaining the aircraft carrier contract.
"As outlined in my parliamentary motion, Rosyth is home to one of the most highly skilled workforces for this type of work. We have a proud history in Fife working with the Royal Navy and I will continue to stand up for the local area and the local economy."
01.08pm - 27.12.2010 Caza - Kirkcaldy, Scotland Report This
interested in Ian Chisholm's comment - Do 30+ years of refit work in Rosyth dockyard not count as 'servicing' then? Some people have very short memories!
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