A Scottish beach contaminated by nuclear waste is a “radioactive minefield” that should be closed immediately, say worried locals.

Sandside beach, an attractive bay two miles west of the decommissioned fast-breeder reactor at Dounreay, is a popular stopoff for tourists on the Highland coastal route – but campaigners say that thousands of tiny but potentially lethal radioactive fuel particles have contaminated the sand.

The Dounreay Particles Advisory Group (DPAG) has estimated that 5,000 particles have been accidentally discharged from the reactor’s crumbling storage shafts, with many being washed ashore at Sandside and the popular surf spots at Dunnet Bay and Murkle, east of Thurso.

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) says that just 27 particles were found on Sandside beach in 2007, eight of which were large enough to pose a significant health risk. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) is required to scan the beach for particles every month – but Geoffrey Minter, who owns the beach and has a public-access agreement with the Highland Council, says the agency is neglecting its duties.

“They are supposed to examine the whole beach, but they have only looked at about one-tenth,” Minter says. “If they carried out a comprehensive survey, it would show a serious health risk.” He has erected a sign on the beach to warn visitors.

As we went to press, Sepa was unavailable for comment, but the agency is on record as saying that the risk is minimal. Minter is sceptical. “The authorities say they wouldn’t allow visitors onto the sands if they were unsafe,” he says, “but they also know it would be a public-relations disaster if they started closing beaches because of radioactive contamination.”

Herbie Lyall, a local resident, agrees: “The beach is a disaster area, and the UKAEA and Sepa should admit it. Locals know how bad it is, but tourists take their children down there – how can you stop them inhaling one of these radioactive particles? I would never take my grandchildren there.”

French authorities have banned tourists from swimming, boating and fishing in two rivers in the popular Vaucluse region after a leak of radioactive waste. About 4,000 gallons of liquid containing uranium has contaminated the Gaffière and Auzon rivers.

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