ROSYTH will finally get rid of its redundant nuclear submarines and the radioactive waste they contain with work set to begin by the end of the year.

Seven of the vessels are to be taken apart at the dockyard and the Ministry of Defence told the Press this week that work is planned to start in the next month or so.

Back in July, Cheshire-based company, Capenhurst Nuclear Services, were selected as the preferred interim storage site for Intermediate Level Waste from the submarines which paved the way for the start of the dismantling work.

An MoD spokesperson said the work was likely to start towards the end of 2016. 

“The precise start date of dismantling is subject to approval from the relevant regulators and commercial negotiations with Babcock Marine,” he said. “The current assumption is that once in a steady state, one submarine will be dismantled per year, but this is subject to change. 

“To ensure initial dismantling of all submarines runs smoothly, the process will first be demonstrated and proven on one submarine of the seven stored at Rosyth as a ‘demonstrator’ work-package.

“Low-level waste management and disposal is routine business for the dockyard. Generally, waste will leave the site as soon as it has been segregated and prepared for safe transport by road.”

Local MP, Douglas Chapman raised the issue of nuclear powered submarines and their dismantling at the Defence Select Committee at Westminster this week.

“After a number of false starts by the UK Government on removing these submarines from our waters, I hope that this timescale will see Rosyth’s seven nuclear subs dismantled, with any intermediate and residual nuclear waste removed for treatment and storage in Cheshire,” he said.

“It is critical that this work is done as efficiently and as safely as possible. 
“When asked if the UK Government could commit to dismantling more than one submarine per year, they said that they neither had the finance nor the skilled nuclear engineers to deliver to that timescale.

"The UK has 26 nuclear submarines that will require to be dismantled.”

When a nuclear sub leaves service, the nuclear fuel is removed and the hull is then laid up for long term storage. However, the reactor compartment remains and consists of low-level and intermediate level radioactive material, which is mostly metal.