Rosyth has said an overwhelming no to nuclear waste from redundant submarines being stored locally.
The majority of people living in communities surrounding the dockyard who have taken part in a Fife Council consultation exercise dubbed the Rosyth Referendum have rejected the idea.
With the Ministry of Defence’s nationwide consultation exercise on what happens to Britain’s fleet of decommissioned submarines drawing to a close in a matter of weeks, Fife Council decided to hold a local survey.
Local SNP councillor Douglas Chapman told The Courier: ”We have taken account of extensive local views and opinions on this issue and we are currently agreeing a council position which would recommend that these submarines and all their nuclear waste be moved out of Rosyth permanently.
”The report as currently presented by council officers will be subject to amendment from the administration and that position, I believe, will respect the views of those who replied to the Fife Council survey on the matter.
”While our final position is not yet finalised, there is a clear view locally that people are uncomfortable with the nuclear waste stored on site and with the prospect of more nuclear waste being stored there long term.
”They’ve been in our backyard for long enough and it’s time to utilise the part of the dockyard the subs use for more sustainable, commercial activity that would create many more jobs.
”Weighing heavily on our mind is the dreadful state of affairs that has been allowed to happen at Dalgety Bay and if the MoD and the British Government have not taken that issue seriously enough, you can imagine why people around Rosyth would want this nuclear legacy removed as soon as practically possible.”
Over 7,000 questionnaires were distributed to every household in Rosyth, North Queensferry, Limekilns and Charlestown. The survey was also available online.
Fife Council was pleased to see a high response rate with nearly 1,000 replying, with a ”breadth and detail of comments” showing local interest and knowledge.
They were given three options:
That Rosyth dockyard should not carry out any dismantling or storage work and the submarines should be removed immediately Rosyth carries out the dismantling work but not the storage of nuclear waste Both the dismantling and storage is carried out at the Fife yard
The response to the final option gave rise to the strongest feeling with 67% against Rosyth being used to store waste. Perhaps unsurprisingly, those living locally showed more negativity towards this option than those who lived further afield.
But when it came to the first two options an even split of opinion emerged.
Some 44% either agreed or agreed strongly that the subs should be removed immediately and Rosyth should not be involved in the dismantling or storage work compared to 41% who either disagreed or disagreed strongly with this idea.
When it came to finding out if Rosyth should carry out only the dismantling work 45% were in favour with 43% against.
People were asked to give supporting comments which were ”extremely polarised” in that they were very in favour of work going ahead or totally opposed to any work being carried out locally.
The only ”middle ground” was the clear view from a number of people that they are happy for the subs to be dismantled on their doorstep but not for waste to be stored.