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UK’s nuclear navy scrapyard problem

Navy dock in danger of becoming a ‘nuclear dumping ground’ The Guardian Matthew Taylor, 22 February 2010The MoD has put forward plans to use the Devonport dockyard in Plymouth as a centre for dismantling radioactive submarines
Military chiefs are running out of space to store the UK’s growing number of obsolete nuclear submarines, prompting fears that one of the country’s busiest naval ports is set to be turned into a nuclear scrapyard.

Eight ageing nuclear-powered vessels are currently kept afloat at the Devonport dockyard in the middle of Plymouth, and 27 more are due to be sent there as they reach the end of their service life in the next few years.

The Ministry of Defence admits it will run out of storage space for the redundant nuclear subs by 2020 and has put forward plans to begin dismantling the radioactive hulks at the city centre site.

Campaigners say the work will be dangerous and turn the dockyard – and the city – into a “nuclear dumping ground” if the plans go ahead.

“This is a city of 250,000 people and it is totally inappropriate to carry out this dangerous and complicated work next to schools and houses,” said local campaigner Tony Staunton…………….As well as providing a base for obsolete nuclear submarines, Devonport refuels nuclear reactors on functioning vessels. Various nuclear accidents have occurred at the site over the past decade, including radioactive water escaping from the submarine’s discharge system in March 2009. In November 2008 the dock suffered its worst nuclear spill since 1985 when 280 litres of radioactive liquid escaped into the River Tamar after a hose burst while contaminated water was being pumped from HMS Trafalgar.

Navy dock in danger of becoming a ‘nuclear dumping ground’ | World news | The Guardian

February 23, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | UK, wastes | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, nuclear wastes, radioactive