PLANS to clean up Dalgety Bay's radiation-contaminated beach have taken a big step forward with the signing of an access agreement.

The deal, between the Ministry of Defence and Dalgety Bay Sailing Club, paves the way for the start of essential wildlife surveys in anticipation of future remediation projects.

In July 2014, defence chiefs agreed in principle to remove the radioactive particles and take other measures to deal with the contamination, if it received firm agreement from Fife Council.

Work is expected to be carried out in phases and completed by the end of 2018. Costs have not been finalised but have been reported to be around £10million.

The plans, endorsed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), include the reinforcement and replacement of coastal rock armour, and a replacement slipway at Dalgety Bay Sailing Club.

However, in order to progress, surveys and ground investigations are required, which were dependent on access to land being granted by the sailing club, Moray Estates and Barratt Homes.

A statement from the MoD said: “The first of these documents has now been reached, and subsequent agreements are anticipated this Spring.

“Once the surveys are complete and the design solutions further developed, timescales for the delivery of the management plan will be finalised and made available.”

Colin McPhail, who recently stepped down as Dalgety Bay and Hillend Community Council chair, welcomed the news, saying the access agreements have been a “stumbling block”.

Mr McPhail had previously slammed the MoD for “dragging their heels” over the management strategy and said plans should have come to a design stage by now.

He told the Press: “The access agreements have been the sticking point so this is good news.

“Once the hurdles have been overcome, there's nothing to stop the design going out for consultation and for the contractors to do the job.

“I have asked SEPA and the MoD to keep me informed – I have a personal interest as I am a member of the sailing club, and also if the MoD puts in rock armour, they would have to go down my road to do it.

“Once this is all firmed up, I will be quite happy. I've been involved in this matter since 1990 and from a community point of view, it's finally going to be solved.”

MoD contractors will continue to monitor the beach and foreshore monthly for radioactive items in line with SEPA health protection criteria.