Drigg repository
The repository for low-level radioactive waste at Drigg is located in Cumbria on the west coast of England and is in the immediate vicinity of the Sellafield nuclear complex . The operator is British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL). It is a near-surface repository in which the waste was previously stored in comparatively simple concrete tanks around 700 m long, 25 m wide and 8 m deep. At the end of the 1980s, a new, technically improved storage method was developed. It is based on the storage of standardized waste containers (15 m³) in cavities that are lined with concrete.
Storage began in 1959. The waste comes mainly from Sellafield, but also from other BNFL activities as well as from CEGB (Central Electricity Generating Board), UKAEA (United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority), MOD (Ministry of Defense), universities and industry. It is planned to continue using the repository for a longer period of time. If the waste is pretreated (e.g. by compacting) and all other plans are implemented, the operating time can extend to at least 2050. The emplacement of 750,000 m³ of low-level radioactive waste is planned by 2050.
Criticism and dangers
The UK Environment Agency believes that Drigg's choice of six kilometers from Sellafield to store low-level radioactive waste was a mistake. "It is doubtful that the location would be chosen for a near-surface storage facility for radioactive waste if the decision had to be made today"
Since 2010, more than 1,200 pieces of radioactive material have been found on Cumbrian beaches. "Continuing to use the camp is unethical due to the risk of rising sea levels and extremely dangerous for future generations," says Martin Forwood of a local environmental organization.
The 110 hectare Drigg camp is only five to twenty meters above sea level. It was actually supposed to be low-level waste, but given the sloppiness of the nuclear industry, many fear that highly radioactive waste has got into the warehouse.
Individual evidence
- ↑ DBE GmbH: Worldwide activities ( Memento of the original from August 17, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ http://www.taz.de/Altlasten-in-Sellafield/!137217/
Web links
Coordinates: 54 ° 22 ′ 46 " N , 3 ° 27 ′ 24.7" W.