nuclear-news

Loss of veto over Cumbria nuclear waste dump site ‘extremely flawed’

“We need to make sure these areas are properly compensated and not just given a few goodies in a paper bag.”

Image source ; http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/politicalcartoons/ig/Political-Cartoons/Cash-for-Nuclear-Clunkers-.htm

PLANS to sideline the views of Cumbria County Council on whether a nuclear waste dump should be located in the county have been lambasted by councillors.

Area representatives for the authority met at County Hall in Kendal yesterday to discuss a new government document which sets out the process for how a site will be found.

The report states the final decision on the location of a new nuclear repository – once a new search gets under way – will rest in the hands of district authorities.

The move would remove Cumbria County Council’s “no” vote on the matter in January this year.

County Councillor Lord Roger Liddle told the council meeting that while he believed in nuclear power, asking communities to volunteer themselves for a repository was not the right way to approach the matter.

He said: “I have always been a believer in nuclear power. But this process is extremely, badly flawed.

“We have a huge responsibility to future generations, not just to solve the problem of waste in Cumbria but to preserve the asset of the Lake District, a priceless part of our heritage.”

Lord Liddle added: “If the government thinks it is necessary it’s got to do what it is doing with HS2 and take national decisions about it.”

There was also anger over mention in the document of government compensation for the community which steps forward to be considered as the host of a future underground nuclear waste bunker.

Councillor Stan Collins called for money to be spent across Cumbria to mitigate use of the roads of all districts leading towards the West Coast – including Barrow and South Lakeland.

He said: “Let us not forget that those communities near to a border of one that steps forward for this will be affected as well.

“We need to make sure these areas are properly compensated and not just given a few goodies in a paper bag.”

Last year, both Copeland and Allerdale district councils voted to proceed to the next phase of a four- year quest to find a permanent site for the waste.

First published at 15:54, Friday, 08 November 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk

November 8, 2013 - Posted by arclight2011part2 | Uncategorized