nuclear-news

OFFICIAL documents revealed the nuclear ­regulator’s concerns over fractures in the core ­structure of Hunterston B power station in Ayrshire. CRACKS found in a nuclear reactor have sparked fears that it could not be shut down in an emergency.

Official documents revealed the nuclear ­regulator’s concerns over fractures in the core ­structure of Hunterston B power station in Ayrshire.

Operators EDF Energy say the cracks pose no threat to safety at the site.

But paperwork obtained through a freedom of ­information request shows the Office for Nuclear ­Regulation have raised concerns over ­fractures in the brick keyways that lock together the core in reactor three.

It’s feared the same problem could arise at EDF’s sister station – Hinkley B in Somerset. The ONR have agreed the stations can continue ­operating safely after making changes to the reactor ­shutdown process of the 70s structures.

But John Large, who helped design the advanced gas-cooled reactors, believes that if the cracks get worse, they could jeopardise a ­reactor’s stability in the event of a disaster and make it impossible to shut it down…..http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/cracks-found-scots-nuclear-reactor-9167417