19 March 2007
Welsh Councils Question Nuclear Policy
The Wales Forum of Nuclear Free Local Authorities (1) meeting at Gwynedd
Council’s Headquarters on 16 March 2007 expressed serious concern
about the findings of the Health and safety Executive (HSE) investigation
into operations on the nuclear site at Sellafield in Cumbria.
The HSE report concerned a release of 83,000 litres of highly radioactive
liquid from dissolved nuclear fuel in the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
(THORP) at Sellafield. The leak began in August 2004 but was not identified
and acted upon until April 2005. Discovery of the leak resulted in the
immediate closure of the THORP plant and it is not now expected to reopen
before the summer 2007.
The HSE report states: “The leak remained undetected for a period
of some eight months for two reasons: a failure to ensure that leak detection
equipment was in effective working order, and a failure to follow key operating
instructions. These failures were not identified due to inadequate monitoring
arrangements and management oversight.” The report continues: “The
company fell well below the standard required by the licence conditions
and these breaches amounted to serious offences.”
The site operator, British Nuclear Group Sellafield Limited (BNGSL),
was fined £500,000 in Carlisle last October for its failure.
Speaking on behalf of the Wales Forum of Nuclear Free Local Authorities,
Newport City Councillor, Glyn Jarvis, said:
“The Government is proposing new nuclear power stations and the Wylfa
site on Anglesey has been suggested as a location, but this HSE reports
reminds us of the dangers of nuclear technology and how, with the best
will in the world, technology can fail and people make mistakes. We must
find safer ways to meet our energy needs.”
The meeting also paid tribute to Gwynedd County Council’s unanimous
vote against the replacement of the Trident nuclear weapons programme.
Speaking after the Nuclear Free Local Authorities meeting, Gwynedd County
Councillor, Gwen Griffith, said:
“Trident makes us less, not more secure. £76 billion saved
from the Trident replacement programme would be better invested in tackling
carbon emissions to slow climate change.”
Note:
1. The Wales Forum of Nuclear Free Local Authorities represents: Bridgend County Borough Council, Caerphilly County Borough Council, Ceredigion County Council, Flintshire County Council, Gwynedd County Council, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Newport City Council, Pembrokeshire County Council, Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council, Torfaen County Borough Council