'No Delay Timetable' Assurance

UK Defence Minister Anna Soubry has written to Gordon Brown insisting work to clean up Dalgety Bay beach will not be delayed.

The letter comes after worry over a yearlong delay on the clean-up of radiation particles on Dalgety Bay beach. Reassurances from the MoD were given to Chair of the Dalgety Bay Community Council, Colin McPhail MBE in August. 

Gordon Brown, the MP for Kirckaldy and Cowdenbeath, wrote to the Minister for clarification that there would be no delay.

Mr Brown welcomes the letter, which states: 

"I can assure you that no delay is anticipated at this time in either the commencement of work or the provision of any finance required to enable the works identified as part of the Management Strategy."
 
The Minister praised the work of the Dalgety Bay Implementation Group and described Mr Brown's involvement and support as an “integral part of this process.

Mr Brown said: 

"I welcome and will monitor the reassurance from the MoD that there will be no delay in starting the clean-up of radiation particles. The extremely patient residents of Dalgety Bay will wish action as soon as possible."
 
The letter went on to say: 

"The Management Strategy reinforces MoD's commitment and intent to delivering a solution to the contamination issues at Dalgety Bay. The MoD is fully committed to implementing the strategy in line with the published timescales."
 
But Dalgety Bay Community Council ask for greater engagement by the Ministry of Defence in planning the clean-up.
 
Gordon Brown has supported the call by Dalgety Bay Community Council for greater engagement by the Ministry. The community council have asked the MoD to send a representative to attend their next meeting on Monday 13 October in Dalgety Bay Church Hall at 19.30hrs.
 
They ask to be provided with a progress report on the management strategy to deal with the foreshore radiation, and they want the Ministry to send out an implementation programme for circulation before the meeting.
 
This is supported by Gordon Brown, who has expressed worries about a delay in the implementation of the 10 million pound clean-up plan.
 
Mr Brown said: 

"It is important the community are kept in touch. While we had a successful consultation, there is a genuine feeling things are moving too slowly.
 
"Despite the assurance from the Minister, there is still a belief that work may not start for a full year.
 
"I want the ministry to bring us up to date on their plans. The best way to do this is to present them at Community Council meeting."