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Seòmar agus comataidhean

Beaufort's Dyke and Unexploded Ordnance on Dumfries and Galloway's Beaches

  • Submitted by: Emma Harper, South Scotland, Scottish National Party.
  • Date lodged: Monday, 17 May 2021
  • Motion reference: S6M-00025

That the Parliament commends the Stranraer Coastguard and Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Team on their professional and continued work in dealing with unexploded ordnance that has been washed ashore at beaches across Dumfries and Galloway and for keeping the public safe from harm; notes that, most recently, on 15 May 2021, they attended an incident that involved the controlled explosion of a suspected Second World War torpedo and that, in February, they dealt with unexploded ordinance that was picked up in the net of a Dumfries and Galloway-based fishing boat; expresses concern regard the reported increase in these incidents over recent years, particularly due to the location of Beaufort’s Dyke, which was the UK’s largest offshore dump site for surplus conventional and chemical munitions after the war; notes that, according to the Public Record Office, approximately two tonnes of encased metal drums filled with radioactive laboratory waste were dumped there in the late 1950’s; calls on the UK Government to carry out a risk assessment of the area and to disclose whether the site is routinely checked for safety; encourages the public to familiarise themselves with the guide to unexploded ordnance; notes that this can be found on the coastguard's website and social media pages; thanks the Coastguard, Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Team and all others involved in dealing with these incidents; hopes that they remain safe, and wishes them continued success.


Supported by: Colin Beattie, Bob Doris, Annabelle Ewing, Neil Gray, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, Ruth Maguire, Gillian Martin, Stuart McMillan, David Torrance, Evelyn Tweed, Elena Whitham