By David Siddall

Published at 16:07, Wednesday, 08 October 2008

AN Arlecdon councillor has challenged Copeland council over its apparent willingness to host a nuclear repository.

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The rejection of the old Nirex plans were highlighted at the meeting, but Copeland leader, Elaine Woodburn, leader gave a robust defence of what she describes as her council’s willingness for “open and transparent” talks on the nuclear repository plans.

It was during the recent round of consultation visits to neighbourhood forums that Arlecdon parish councillor, Peter Fox, said: “A few years ago the government through Nirex did a lot of exploration work drilling bore holes around the Sellafield site to check whether the area was suitable for a long term underground storage dump. Maps were produced showing the geology of the area in detail and these are still available to examine through the Cumberland Geological Society.

“The results as far as the government were concerned were disappointing in that the area was heavily faulted and water would seep into any underground chamber.

“In view of this history and the opposition at the time from people in the area to the dump, why is Copeland Council entering into discussions with the government to try and explore ways of hosting the dump. Surely the previous work cannot be ignored and neither can the wishes of the public. Or will the geological maps be changed to suit the wishes of the government and Copeland Council to allow the dump to be sited in West Cumbria whatever the wishes of the public. No bribe that the government can off will make up for the destruction of the area for future generations. I ask that Copeland Council withdraw from any further discussions with the government about siting the dump in West Cumbria.”

Responding at the forum, Copeland leader, Coun Elaine Woodburn stated;

“In response to the question raised and to clarify some facts.

“Nirex did carry out some exploration work but none of the work carried out was to the depth that a geological repository would be. In fact the whole process stopped when planning permission was sought for a Rock Characterisation Facility.

“It was this facility that would have proven if the areas being looked at were geologically suitable or not. Therefore factually it was never proven that areas being looked at where geologically suitable or not.

“Copeland Borough Council has expressed an interest, this is without commitment and does not mean that a repository will be located on Copeland. It means that we have agreed to explore the positives and the negatives. Copeland already hosts 70 per cent of the higher level wastes that would be going into the repository, so the impact socially, environmentally and economically of that waste whether it is moved or remains is massive and something we need to explore.

“An initial sub surface geology survey will be carried out and the information from this will be made public.

“Technology has changed since the ’95 Nirex work but regardless of that the priority has to be safety both for the communities and the environment now and in the future.

“Copeland Borough Council will not be withdrawing from talking to both Government and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). We feel it is our duty to investigate the options.

“What is different from previous discussions is that this process will be open and transparent. I live in Copeland and I can assure you that I would not agree to something that would risk the future of my family or anyone else’s but as said we need to investigate all options. “This is a very long process, the NDA don’t envisage emplacing waste until 2040 and over this period there will be agreed rights of withdrawal, if the community says ‘No’ then that is the end of the process.

“‘Dump’ is really not the right terminology, a repository would be the biggest infrastructure programme the county has seen. The technology and skills needed are immense, so regardless of where the repository may go, the terminology that you use actually demeans what it is in reality”.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk