AWE among possible nuclear submarine waste dump sites

The issue came to light at a recent meeting of the full Tadley Town Council, at which AWE local liaison committee member Mike Broad (Ind, Tadley East) said that at a recent meeting held at AWE
Burghfield, it was reiterated that the MoD was still investigating which one of a multitude of its licensed nuclear sites could be used to store nuclear waste.
“Any licensed MoD site could possibly be used for this purpose,” said Mr Broad.
Newbury MP Richard Benyon said on Wednesday that AWE Aldermaston was one of three or four sites around the UK the MoD had first mooted seven years ago for the storage of low-level nuclear waste from the decommissioned submarines.
“[It] would be in a sealed container, stored in concrete and no risk to anyone,” said Mr Benyon, adding that there would be no impact on those living near the site, and no danger posed should the decommissioned parts fall into terrorist hands.
The MoD issued the following statement on Tuesday: “We are committed to disposing of all our radioactive waste safely and securely.
“That is why the submarine dismantling project is seeking a specific site to store intermediate-level radioactive waste from retired Royal Navy nuclear submarines. A public consultation was held last year and all existing nuclear storage sites are being considered. No decisions have yet been made.”
Following the 16-week public consultation, from October 2011 to February 2012, the MoD published a report in March this year, confirming that more than 400 written responses were received and 1,200 people attended consultation events.
The full MOD report can be viewed at www.gov.uk/consultations.