IT'S plagued the town for three decades but Dalgety Bay will get a "tourism" boost when the radiation clean-up is finally completed. 

Agents for the Ministry of Defence say it will also be a "more healthy and attractive place to live" once the pollution, first discovered in June 1990, is removed. 

A planning application is being prepared for work at the foreshore, which includes installing a geotextile membrane and replacing and reinforcing rock armour to isolate and remove higher activity material. 

The existing jetty and slipways at Dalgety Bay Sailing Club will also be replaced. 

A planning statement from agents AECOM said: "Once completed, the development will have a significant positive effect on the area; improving water and soil quality to create a more healthy and attractive place to live and spend time. 

"Furthermore, the new slipway will improve the function of this adjacent sailing club, in turn creating the potential for increased tourism and recreation opportunities."

The radiation has been blamed on World War II aircraft dials that were coated with luminous paint containing radium-226.

After the war, the planes were broken up and burned in the 1950s at Donibristle with much of the resultant ash and clinker from the incineration process dumped along the foreshore. 

More than 3,000 radioactive particles have been found at the beach, in nearby gardens and next to the sailing club in Dalgety Bay over the past two decades. 

In July 2014, defence chiefs agreed in principle to tackle the pollution and work, reportedly costing £10 million, was expected to be carried out in phases, starting last summer with completion by the end of 2018.

But it will now be at least the summer of 2018 before it gets under way and the MoD has been accused of "dragging its heels" over the issue. 

Roger Mullin MP told the Press last February that he was "completely dissatisfied at the lack of progress on tackling this problem". 

The MoD had said there were delays as the sailing club had refused access to their land but this was refuted in February by the club. 

Mr Mullin has now secured a visit from defence minister Mark Lancaster, who will give an update on the project when he comes to Dalgety Bay on Thursday, April 20.