Plans to clean up radiation from Dalgety Bay beach have taken a step forward.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation has asked Fife Council to screen its proposals to remediate the area to see if an environmental impact assessment will be necessary.
It’s the first step in long awaited plans to clear up contaminated debris from Second World War aircraft dumped on the foreshore by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
And it comes hot on the heels of the signing of an access agreement by the MoD and Dalgety Bay Sailing Club, enabling surveys to be done before remediation projects get under way.
The DIO, part of the MoD, has been working with Fife Council and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to develop the strategy to remediate the beach.
Carrying out the now agreed management strategy is progressing, but a raft of work is required going forward.
This includes installation of a geotextile membrane and protective rock armour to stop radium contamination getting into the foreshore.
The replacement and reinforcement of existing coastal armoury with a geotextile underneath is also needed to halt contamination.
Removal of highly active radium material is also on the list, as is the re-profiling of the foreshore and placement of a membrane and rock armour to isolate contamination.
The existing jetty and slipway at the sailing club will be removed and replaced to allow screening for radioactive particles.
All works must be screened by the council to determine if there is need for an environmental impact assessment.
A “habitats regulations” appraisal is under way because of the proximity to conservation sites.
The MoD has come under fire for the length of time it has taken to clean up the site on the shore of the Fife town.
Radiation, from luminous paint used on wartime aircraft dials, was first discovered more than 25 years ago.