Fife councillors are furious the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has failed once again to update them about Dalgety Bay beach radiation clean-up.
Accusing the MoD of “dragging its heels”, local MP Roger Mullin will seek answers at a meeting next month.
Mr Mullin aired his discontent at the lack of progress on tackling the problem, which first came to light more than 25 years ago.
He said: “Indeed, my recent correspondence with the Ministry of Defence gives me no confidence that they are honouring earlier promises.
“They have seriously slipped from commitments made two years ago.
“That for more than 25 years this has been a known issue with no proper action speaks volumes regarding the extent to which the people of Dalgety Bay have been taken for granted.”
Before his “high-level” meeting at the ministry, the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP will convene with technical experts “to ensure the strongest case can be presented”.
“I will be making it clear I won’t be fobbed off with soft words, when what we need is hard action,” he added.
Councillors will also to write to the MoD voicing their concerns after the body’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) failed to appear.
Dr Paul Dale, from the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa), appeared for the regular briefing to councillors, saying he had expected DIO, which provided a report for Dalgety Bay community council recently, to also attend.
Councillor Lesley Laird said it was unsatisfactory no-one had turned up.
Councillor Mike Shirkie added: “This is not the first time we have been let down, there has been a history of DIO failing to respond, attend or update.”
It wasn’t the case of “tripping up” the MoD, according to Councillor Gavin Yates, but there were simple questions that needed to be answered about how the project is going, is it on time and are there any problems?
“That is all the community’s real concern is,” he went on.
Praising the Sepa’s continuing engagement as regulator, he stormed: “What we are getting from the MoD is stonewall and it’s not acceptable.
“People in Dalgety Bay have waited patiently over many years and it completely destroys their faith in this project and that is really unfortunate.
“The MoD are doing themselves no favours whatsoever.”
The committee will now write to the ministry.