Rosyth councillor doesn’t want Trident submarines at yard

10th November, By Ally McRoberts, Herald Scotland

Iodine tablets to counteract the effects of radiation would need to be given to “half the population of Rosyth” if proposals to bring more nuclear subs to the dockyard go ahead.

That’s the fear of local SNP councillor Brian Goodall who said the emergency planning measures that would be needed was an issue of “great public concern”.

The next generation of Trident submarines is the Dreadnought class and, in September, Babcock bosses said that a £340 million investment from the UK Government would help pay for a contingent dock for the boats to come into Rosyth.

There are already seven decommissioned nuclear subs being cut up at Rosyth and the defence firm are due to give an update on the dismantling project to councillors at next month’s South and West Fife area committee meeting.

At this week’s meeting Cllr Goodall said: “I am hopeful that we can make a request to Babcock and the Ministry of Defence that they include in that update some more information about the proposal to use Rosyth as a contingent docking base for the Trident submarines.

“Apparently the MoD has decided it is the only suitable venue other than Faslane.”

He said he first heard of the proposal at a recent Rosyth Dockyard Local Liaison Committee meeting and added: “They did say that one of the issues, if it was to go ahead, the emergency planning would have to involve issues like arrangements to distribute iodine tablets to half the population of Rosyth, which to me means this is an issue of great public concern.

“Certainly something that should be subject to wider public consultation rather than just a decision being taken by the MoD that this is the only suitable site to do it.”

Committee convener, Cllr David Barratt, said he had attended the recent Rosyth Community Council meeting and added: “They were clear as well that there is significant community interest on this and consultation and community engagement is essential if significant changes are proposed for the use of the dockyard.

“I hope we can write to the MoD and ask that that is addressed or that they are prepared to answer questions when they attend in December.”

Iodine tablets, taken at the right time, can block the absorption of radioactive iodine by flooding the thyroid gland.

The UK Government have detailed plans for providing the tablets – potassium iodate or potassium iodide – in the event of a radiation emergency involving a release of radioactive iodine.

The possibility of bringing more subs to Rosyth was raised after the UK Government’s £340m investment in the dockyard was confirmed in September………………………………………………………….. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25607814.rosyth-councillor-doesnt-want-trident-submarines-yard/