Nuclear concerns (From Gazette Series)

Nuclear concerns

GREEN councillors have spoken out in support of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) despite public concerns about accelerated decommissioning.

It was reported in the Gazette two weeks ago that Berkeley residents have been called upon to decide whether or not they want Berkeley power station to be decomissioned quickly in 25 years or in the recognised 125 years.

They were told of their choices at a meeting led by the NDA in September.

At the meeting, residents expressed concerns about 25-year decommissioning saying they were not convinced it was enough time for radiation to naturally decay - potentially putting people's lives in danger.

Berkeley town councillor Val Watts said at the meeting: "Surely it would cause nothing but trouble for people to remove the reactors early."

However, this week members of Stroud District Green Party spoke out in defence of accelerated decommissioning, supporting some of the arguments put forward by the NDA.

Stroud district Green spokesman Philip Booth said: "Evidence from other countries and independent nuclear experts suggest that it is better to use robots in our own generation than leave the same job for our great grandchildren to solve."

The use of robotic machinery to clear decommissioned nuclear power stations was an idea muted by the NDA at the recent Berkeley meeting.

Mr Booth added: "Waiting means there are also continuing problems of safety, security and storage of radioactive waste.

"However, Greens would be totally opposed if the plan involved incineration of radioactive waste, even low-level waste."

The public consultation on the future of Berkeley nuclear power station ends on November 11.

Residents and representatives from parish and town councils are being encouraged to express their views by this date to give the NDA a true picture of local opinion.

Anyone wishing to comment should write to Penny Wride, c/o Steve Payne at steve.payne@magnox.co.uk