PLANS for an underground 鈥渞ock laboratory鈥� near Sellafield in Cumbria, to
test whether the site is suitable for disposing of nuclear waste, were rejected
this week by Britain鈥檚 environment secretary, John Gummer. The decision is a
crippling blow for Nirex, the company responsible for disposing of Britain鈥檚
radioactive waste.
Gummer says he was concerned about 鈥渢he scientific uncertainties and
technical deficiencies in the proposals presented by Nirex鈥�.
Nirex has spent 拢200 million over 15 years trying to show that the site
is suitable for nuclear waste burial. The rock laboratory plans were the subject
of a public inquiry completed in February 1996. Chris McDonald, the inquiry
inspector, says Nirex has 鈥渋nadequate knowledge鈥� of the site.
Advertisement
But the company points out that 鈥渢he waste will not go away鈥�. Previously, it
had identified another 11 sites as having potentially suitable geology,
including two in Scotland, five in England and four offshore.