Future of NIREX in doubt

Waste Disposal Plans Criticised

Its annual report comes as the future of NIREX, the body responsible for disposing of nuclear waste, appears increasingly in doubt. The Radioactive Management Advisory Committee (RAWMAC) recommends that NIREX be replaced.

The amount of nuclear waste produced in Britain is increasing daily, yet there is still no agreement on how to dispose of it.

NIREX spent £400 million exploring sites to bury nuclear waste which were then judged to be geologically unsafe. The former Conservative Environment Secretary, John Gummer, refused planning permission to develop NIREX's proposed site in the Cumbrian hills.

RAWMAC reiterates criticism of NIREX for failing to publish its scientific findings widely enough and for its lack of independence from the nuclear industry.

It is thought, having produced this report, that the committee will spend the next few months drawing up a further document for ministers. It is this paper which will probably suggest NIREX be wound down and set up in a more open, independent form to restore public confidence in those responsible for disposing of radioactive waste.

But many critics say this action overlooks the immediate and intractable problems of disposing of increasing levels of nuclear waste.

Also thrown into question once more is the future of the Thorp reprocessing facility at Sellafield. It had planned to use NIREX's site to dispose of its treated intermediate level waste. It is currently storing the waste above ground which is not considered to be a long-term solution.