Amid all the hype surrounding the closure of the former Bradwell nuclear power station, Peter Banks reminds us of past problems, present concerns and future uncertainties surrounding the plant. Overall, it must be said, the celebrations of the successful conclusion of Bradwell’s decommissioning are premature and presumptuous. Within its own terms the process has been a technical success. We should expect nothing less. But, it is by no means completed and the remaining radioactivity on the site will continue to pose risks to people and the environment for decades to come.
BANNG 17th Jan 2019 read more »
The nuclear power station is in the process of being decommissioned, and is the first in the country to enter care and maintenance status, according to the BBC. The site, which is 60-years-old, stopped operating in 2002, was home to two Magnox-type reactors that were brought into service in 1962. However, both have been defuelled, decommissioned and covered in weatherproof cladding to create ‘safe stores’. This is where waste will be kept for approximately 70 years to allow any radiation that remains to decay naturally. It will only be after this that the site can be cleared. The 24-acre site used to be a World War Two airfield and won’t be alone on the coast, after news came that a new nuclear power station is being proposed to be built next to the existing one. The reactor and buildings, which are being designed by EDF and China General Nuclear (CGN), are set to consider environmental and safety issues, however, any full approval is expected to take a further two to three years. This means that if the original power station is set to naturally decay for 70 years, the area could be home to two in close proximity.
Essex Live 24th Jan 2019 read more »
