New radiation concerns

FEARS HAVE been raised that the true radiation levels of debris removed from Dalgety Bay beach may have been underestimated.

Now the Dalgety Bay Particles Advisory Group has said accurate information on the radioactivity is needed — and until that happens the risk to users of the beach can’t be properly defined.

The group met for the fourth time yesterday at Dalgety Bay Sailing Club to discuss the saga, latest findings and work carried out recently with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Scottish Envi- ronment Protection Agency (Sepa).

Speaking afterwards, group chairman Alex Elliott said: “We expressed our concerns learning that the estimates of sources recovered from Dalgety Bay by the MoD’s contractor may have underestimated the true activity.

“We have advised that in order to allow any form of basic risk assessment to be undertaken at Dalgety Bay, information is needed on the activity of each of the sources recovered which is accurate.

“In the absence of such information no definitive risk assessment can be undertaken on the current risks to beach users.”

The group was also told that in light of recent f inds on the foreshore area, monitoring will need to be extended to other areas.

The group also provided recommendations to the MoD contractor about the potential locations for the next phase of the investigation, including trail pits.

“We hope that the citing and timing of this work will be undertaken following liaison with the sailing club to minimise any disruption to sailing activities,” Mr Elliott said.