Rosyth takes plunge with nuclear subs bid
BILL JACOBS
ROSYTH is bidding for a multi-million pound contract to break up nuclear submarines.
Under the scheme, 11 redundant submarines would be dismantled at Rosyth with high level nuclear waste transported out of the area.
But fears grew today that low level radioactive materials may continue to be stored on site if dismantled subs continued to be kept there.
It is thought the contract would safeguard around 100 jobs at the Fife dockyard, but it has also sparked environmental concerns.
Babcock Support Services Ltd, which runs the privatised former royal dockyard in Fife, has entered a partnership with Motherwell Bridge Nuclear Ltd to bid for the work.
It is among five companies and consortiums to submit outline plans to the Ministry of Defence on how to deal with radioactive waste from the subs.
Under its plans, the subs - seven of which are already at Rosyth - would be carefully dismantled with the dangerous nuclear waste from the reactor compartments taken for storage in special packages to either Coulport, Dunbartonshire, or Sellafield in Cumbria.
The contract is also likely to extend to breaking up nuclear submarines currently in service when they are decommissioned in future years.
The MoD said it would seek the views of local residents before choosing the successful bidder.
Scott Barrie, Labour MSP for Dunfermline West, said today he was reassured the proposal did not include long-term storage of nuclear material on the site.
"My fear on behalf of the local community was that Babcock would offer to cut up the subs at Rosyth and we would have to store the radioactive core here."
But SNP environment spokeswoman Roseanna Cunningham called for the redundant submarines to be removed from Rosyth.
She said: "These rotting hulks have been hanging around Rosyth for far too long already. I want to see them out of Rosyth and out of Scotland."
And Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Bruce Crawford said any dismantling of nuclear subs at Rosyth meant a risk there.
"We are trying to promote Rosyth as a gateway for tourists with the ferry service. What sort of a signal does it send to them if we are breaking up these subs?"
Dunfermline West Labour MP Rachel Squire added: "What we want as soon as possible is to get the nuclear waste out of Rosyth. As far as Babcock’s proposal is concerned, I will be meeting with local councillors today to make sure we get the fullest possible public consultation and will be feeding these views back to the Ministry of Defence."
A spokesman for Babcock said that low-level nuclear waste was already stored at Rosyth. If further subs are dismantled on the site that stockpile could grow. But even if the contract does not go to Babcock, Rosyth may still have a role to play.
The Devonport naval base on the south coast of England, which won the contract to re-fit Trident submarines despite fierce competition from Rosyth ten years ago, has also bid for the contract. Under its proposals, it suggests that some of the work could be carried out at Rosyth.
Rosyth councillor Gordon Duff said today he had mixed feelings about the work going to Rosyth. "We are getting the dregs. It is positive that the Government is looking at trying to do something about the submarines, but I would rather they did it at Devonport."
Defence Procurement Minister Lord Bach said: "When we launched this project three years ago we promised we would take it forward in an open and transparent manner. This latest round of public consultation reflects that commitment.
"I would also like to emphasise that no decision will be made on the location of any work or subsequent storage of waste for around three years."
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "As part of the MoD’s public consultation process, local communities are being invited to have their say about proposals from industry.
"This will lead to the selection of companies to be invited to take part in detailed negotiations from early next year."
