09.06.10
Sellafield - The UK's oldest and largest siteParts of West Cumbria are to be ruled out as radioactive depositories in the latest geological survey of the area.
The British Geological Survey (BGS), UK independent geological experts, have been commissioned by the government to carry out a study of the geology of the areas of Allerdale and Copeland.
Richard Shaw, from the BGS, said: “The screening process is applying those criteria identified in the ‘Managing Radioactive Waste Safely’ (MRWS) white paper as clearly geologically unsuitable so that areas for which there is no likelihood of being able to make a case for safe disposal are screened out from further consideration."
The survey follows West Cumbria being one of the first districts to take part in the ‘volunteerism and partnership’ scheme put forward by the government in a bid to encourage a partnership approach.
Communities are asked to volunteer areas for the process which will ultimately provide a site for a geological disposal facility.
Allerdale and Copeland councils say they showed interest as the local area will ultimately be affected as 70% of the country’s radioactive waste set for geological disposal is currently stored at Sellfield power plant in the area.
Tim Knowles from West Cumbria MRWS and the Cumbria County Council representative for environment says: “We are keen to ensure that as many people as possible get involved and have the chance to express their views.”
The survey will only look at information that is already available about the geology of the area and will not involve any new data gathering.
A spokesperson from the Department of Energy and Climate Change said: "It will be what is called a ‘desk based study’ only. This means that it will only use information that is already available and there will be no drilling or field-based investigative studies."
A final decision is set to be taken by local councils late next year.