Radioactive Waste Leaks At Faslane Base Revealed (from The Herald )

Radioactive waste leaks at Faslane base revealed The Ferald, by Martin Williams, 27 April 09

Faslane nuclear submarine base has come under scrutiny by environment watchdogs after being hit by a series of safety breaches including leaks of radioactive waste, it emerged last night.

In a confidential report released under the Freedom of Information Act, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) described safety failings at Faslane, on the Gare Loch near Glasgow, as a “recurring theme”.

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) confirmed last night that the repeated safety breaches were so serious it could consider issuing a prohibition notice to “close down an activity” while investigations are carried out.

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It said last night it had previously issued enforcement notices over safety issues at the base.

The worst breaches include three leaks of radioactive coolant from nuclear submarines in 2004, 2007 and 2008 into the Firth of Clyde.