Stichting Laka

Publicatie Laka-bibliotheek:
Carrying the can. Transportation of spent fuel through London (1980)

Auteur	Ecology party
Datum	1980
Classificatie	6.01.8.70/21 (TRANSPORTEN - BUITENLAND - VAN/NAAR OPWERKINGSFABRIEKEN)
Voorkant

PREFACE

REASONS FOR THE REPORT

The pattern of development of the civil nuclear programme in the UK, with a
central reprocessing plant at Windsca1e serving generating stations scattered over
England, Scotland and Wales, has necessitated the movement of large quantities of
radioactive materials through areas of dense population. This phase of the nuclear
fuel cycle, the transportation of irradiated spent fuel elements from the various
reactors to Cumbria, indicates the perspective in which nuclear safety must be
regarded: not as a series of isolated danger points in remote parts of the coastline,
but as a single entity the shape of which corresponds to the transportation network
(at present mostly rail) linking the reactors with Windsca1e. It is beside the point
for the man in the street to declare himself in favour of nuclear power as long as the
reactors are situated many miles away, when the irradiated fuel from those reactors
is being carried within a half-mile of his home.

Since 1962, at least* 9,000 tonnes of spent fuel have been moved to Windscale in
about 4,500 consignments. London acts as a corridor for the consignments from the
three nuclear power stations in the south-east - Sizewell, Bradwell and Dungeness.
In spite of recent publicity, it is probably still true to say that the majority
of Londoners are unaware of this traffic. But because of the concern expressed by
those who do know, and particularly those who appreciate the unique problems
posed by radioactivity, and the discrepancy between official reassurances and
popular rumour, it became apparent that some detailed research was needed,
culminating in a document that would contain a reliable account of the situation
and that brought to light the technical and ethical issues involved.

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