Radioactive
waste storage building, Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth Radioactive
waste storage building, Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth Radioactive Waste
News Release
5th September 1996
DIG is concerned that tanks containing radioactive waste are currently being stored in the open at Devonport Dockyard close to housing and schools.
Large tanks containing lethal radioactive waste are being stored outside while preparations for the construction of a new radioactive waste dump are made at the nuclear Submarine Refit Complex.The large tanks called Resin Catch Tanks measure 2m in height and weigh several tonnes each. They contain radioactive contaminated resin 'beads', a by-product of nuclear submarine reactor decontamination.
Fifty-seven tanks may be stored in the present building, though the proposed new dump will hold up to 210 containers. In anticipation of construction work, the tanks were previously moved out of their shielded store called the Nuclear Utilities Building near to the River Tamar at 8 Wharf in December 1994. They were stacked tightly together behind the building close to a wall to absorb gamma radiation. Following concerns expressed by DIG, the governments nuclear licensing body the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate ordered the tanks to be returned under cover when the project was delayed in January 1995.
Despite construction work still not being started, we have learned that the tanks have again been moved out into the open. During recent consultations with the City Council's planning authority over construction codes of practice originally asked for in 1992, it has been revealed that the tanks have been taken out of the present facility and left under tarpaulins for 'temporary storage' . The City Council has told DIG of their concern over the duration of storage outside should the project be delayed again and have sought assurances from the governments Nuclear Installations Inspectorate.
"We are very concerned that radioactive waste material is being allowed to be kept in the open so close to the public within a city. While kept in this way it is always more vulnerable to any accident, spillage or fire. Neither we or the City Council have any indication when work on the new dump will begin and yet this material has been dumped outside again. As usual the public are kept in the dark over such movements of lethal radioactive material within Plymouth." DIG
DIG will be calling on the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate to review the temporary storage arrangements and to determine the precise time scales involved.