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Dead nuclear reactors in Plymouth – expensive to maintain, and a cause of local anxiety

nuke-reactor-deadFears over nuclear reactors in Plymouth as UK spends £16m keeping unwanted submarines By Plymouth Herald   June 03, 2015 Campaigners have raised fears over the safety of nuclear reactors in Plymouth after it emerged the MoD is spending £16million to store old submarines it no longer wants – 12 of them in the city.

It has cost the UK £16million to store and maintain Britain’s 19 laid-up nuclear submarines over the last five years – 12 of them at Devonport in Plymouth – while a decision is being made about their future.

The boats which have been taken out of service have been kept in Plymouth since 1994 while the MoD decides where to finally store their nuclear reactors.

The BBC has obtained the figures regarding the upkeep of the submarines, seven of them in Rosyth, Scotland, from the Ministry of Defence through a Freedom of Information request.

 Devonport is currently home to 12 submarines – eight of which are still carrying their fuel load.

Another eight submarines are to leave service over the next 15 to 20 years.

The submarines are having to be stored and maintained as no location has yet been found for storage of the sub’s nuclear reactors.

A site is set to be named this year.

Ian Avent, of Plymouth campaigners Community Awareness Nuclear Storage and Radiation, told the BBC: “The big problem is that eight submarines on Devonport still have their fuel on board and that is potential for [a] disaster.” http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Fears-nuclear-reactors-Plymouth-UK-spends-16m/story-26626000-detail/story.html#ixzz3c2NipJ8q

June 4, 2015 - Posted by | UK, wastes

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