Doubts lead to Cumbria's exit from nuclear storage process

Further progress of the government’s Managing Radioactive Waste Safely (MRWS) process required the approval of Allerdale and Copeland Borough Councils and Cumbria County Council (CCC). Approval from the county council would have progressed to the next stage, allowing the government to conduct desk-top geological surveys.

CCC’s cabinet decided yesterday that the area should no longer be considered but did agree that the government should be encouraged to invest in existing surface storage facilities at Sellafield.

CCC believes this would ensure a more robust interim surface storage solution while the government finds a permanent solution for Britain’s radioactive waste.

In a statement, Cllr Eddie Martin, leader of CCC, said: ‘The cabinet believes there is sufficient doubt around the suitability of West Cumbria’s geology to put an end now to the uncertainty and worry this is causing for our communities. Cumbria is not the best place geologically in the UK — the government’s efforts need to be focused on disposing of the waste underground in the safest place, not the easiest.