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May 11, 2000
REDUNDANT NUCLEAR SUBMARINES TO BE SAFELY STORED ON LAND
New proposals for the safe storage on land of the Royal Navy's
decommissioned nuclear-powered submarines were announced today by
Defence Minister Dr Lewis Moonie.
A study by the Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the current
practice of storing submarines afloat at Devonport and Rosyth remains
safe. But the difficulty of identifying suitable alternative afloat
sites for further submarines means that storing the radioactive
components on land, would provide the best overall solution in the
longer term.
No land storage sites have yet been chosen. In the next phase of
the study, lasting about three years, industry will be invited to
submit proposals, and the best land storage method and potential
suitable sites will be identified. No decision will be taken on
the most suitable land storage option or site until the next
phase of the study has been completed, which will include full
consultation. As part of this process, an environmental impact
assessment will be undertaken for each storage option taken
forward.
In a separate move, Babcock Rosyth Defence Ltd have been given
approval to start feasibility and planning work on a proposal
they have put forward to dismantle the reactor compartment from
one decommissioned nuclear submarine, HMS Renown, and store the
compartments on land at Rosyth.
Lewis Moonie said:
"We have not launched this study because of any suggestion that
the current policy of storage afloat is unsafe. On the contrary,
regular maintenance and monitoring at Devonport and Rosyth ensure
that neither the environment nor the public are at risk from the
radioactive material remaining on the submarines.
"However, more submarines will be decommissioned in the years to
come, and both dockyards are likely to be full by 2012. That,s
why it is important for us to start work on looking at
alternative storage options now.
"Safety remains of paramount importance - we are seeking a safe
and practical solution, not a cheap option. We will work to the
same standards of safety that apply to the civil nuclear
industry.
"I have today personally briefed representatives from
environmental and other interest groups on our proposals. I am
determined to take their views, and the views of the public, into
account as we move into the next phase of the study. Consultation
is very important, and there will be no decisions on the land
storage method or site until we have been through a full and open
consultation process."
BRDL have put forward an unsolicited, commercial proposal for HMS
Renown, the last Polaris submarine, which is currently at Rosyth
awaiting the traditional decommissioning work planned to start
later this year. The intermediate level waste from Renown would
be held initially in the existing purpose-built facility at
Rosyth. BRDL's proposal would not lead to any overall increase in
the radioactive waste at the site. BRDL would be expected to make
proposals for the eventual removal of the waste to a longer-term
storage facility.
Dr Moonie said:
"This could be a useful way to test out the feasibility and
practicality of one of the possible land storage methods, and we
have agreed that the company can proceed with the feasibility and
planning stage. When they have completed that stage, including an
environmental impact assessment, and secured the necessary safety
approvals from the independent regulators, we will consider
allowing them to implement their proposal. If we decide that the
company can go ahead, we will make a further announcement. As
part of the next stage leading to actual dismantling of the
submarine, an environmental impact assessment will be required,
which will involve further local consultation."
- ends -
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. A summary of the findings of the first phase of the study
can be found on the MOD website at http://www.mod.uk/ssa.
The material is also available in a booklet which can be
requested from:
Chief Executive of the Ships Support Agency
Ministry of Defence
Room 102
Block B
Bath BA1 5AB
2. For further information, please contact Andrew Willis at the
Defence Press Office on 0207 218 7714.
3. The MoD web-site can be found at http://www.mod.uk
Alternatively you may contact the MoD Press Office by e-mail
at press@dgics.mod.uk
4. BRDL will be briefing journalists and environmental and
local interest groups at Rosyth tomorrow. For further
information contact Mark Wilbourn on 01383 423045.
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