Opposition to Rosyth 'submarine graveyard':

Rosyth Community Council has expressed opposition to nuclear submarines being sited at the town's dockyards and wants them removed.

The Ministry of Defence has still to announce whether more will join the seven decommissioned vessels, but it is understood that the choice is west Fife or Devonport, Plymouth.

There has been anxiety from councillors and the community about the submarines, with fears raised concerning possible leaks.

The community council has added its opposition to them being stationed at the dockyards, describing them as a "subs' graveyard."

Chairman Mike Shirkie said, "We are against the subs being located here but there is no decision yet regarding the waste from them until a disposal route has been agreed.

"As far as we know there is no further action until that has been looked at. I understand, although this has not been confirmed, that a campaign has started down in Devonport as they don't want the extra subs.

"We have seven submarines here at Rosyth and there are 11 down in Devonport, so we do not wish any more here."

Mr Shirkie said, "There are many politicians that do not want the subs and we don't want them either. It should not be treated as political. I believe it's apolitical.

"It does not benefit the local community having the subs here but we need to get heads together on this to sort it out."

An MoD spokesman said that no decision had been made on the future of the nuclear submarines.

He said, "The submarine dismantling project is currently in the assessment phase during which it is seeking to identify and develop the recommended options to satisfy its requirements.

"These options involve the site for initial dismantling, the technical approach to be adopted and the solution for storage of intermediate-level radioactive waste until a suitable disposal facility is available.

"We will work with industry to satisfy the requirements of the aims of the project.

"To do this, we are undertaking relevant technical, environmental and value-for-money studies that will form the basis of a public consultation and subsequent decisions. No major decisions will be taken until we have completed public consultation."

The spokesman added, "The environmental work we are carrying out is known as a strategic environmental assessment (SEA).

"SEA is a formal and legally-defined process that assesses any potentially significant environmental, health, or socioeconomic effects of the SDP options, and their wider implications for sustainable development.

"This assessment, and the resulting environmental report, will be presented as a key element of the public consultation."

Source: The Courier. By Paul Reoch. 25 April 2011

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/News/Fife/article/13263/opposition-to-rosyth-submarine-graveyard.html