Entire area - Nuclear waste on city railways

[AJR]

Ref.: thisisbristol - 22 July 2006

Link to online source

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NUCLEAR WASTE ON CITY RAILWAYS

BY HUGO BERGER H.BERGER

Greenpeace has revealed that a train carrying nuclear waste travels through heavily populated parts Bristol three times a week. The group said the train carried the waste three times a week from Hinkley Point to Crewe.

On the way, the train passes through several stations in the area, including Highbridge and Burnham, Yatton, Nailsea and Backwell, Parson Street, Bedminster. It then goes on to Clifton Down, Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road, Filton Abbey Wood, Bristol Parkway and Yate.

People living near Bristol Parkway were shocked at the frequency of the train journeys and the lax security surrounding them.

Matt Taylor, 36, a teacher, of Rock Lane, Stoke Gifford, said: "This is worrying. What if a terrorist attacked it or it derailed?"

Dave Griffiths, 70, who also lives in Rock Lane, said: "I used to be a fire officer so I know that these chemicals are sealed pretty safely inside these containers.

"But there is always the worst-case scenario and if this happens there could be a disaster."

Sue Wilson, 43, an officer worker of North Road, Stoke Gifford, said: "I knew they transported nuclear waste by train but I didn't know it went through the centre of the city. Are there not railway routes by less populated areas they could use?"

Ann Scott, of Thorn Close, Worle, said: "I was not aware it was being transported along the track.

"I know it goes on but I did not know it was so close.

"I am quite concerned it is on my doorstep as the rail track is only a couple hundred yards from my back garden.

"You hear of derailments, so it is quite concerning."

Following reports that a national newspaper had planted a fake bomb on a train carrying nuclear waste, the Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS) and the company which transports the waste - Direct Rail Services - have now begun an inquiry into the incident.

Greenpeace said there were more than 1,000 nuclear transports through the UK every year.

A statement said: "The trains travel with minimal protection through commuter train centres and past hospitals, schools and back gardens.

"A terrorist attack or accident on a routine transport of nuclear waste in the UK could spread radiation over 100 kilometres, and cause over 8,000 deaths."

Greenpeace nuclear campaigner Sarah North added: "Hundreds of thousands of people in the UK are unwittingly exposed to the dangers of nuclear waste every week. Trains carrying radioactive waste trundle through the UK's villages, towns and cities every week - and we think the public has a right to know.

"So we've published a timetable of nuclear transports in the UK.

"The timetable is frighteningly easy to work out - just ask any train-spotter - and anyone could do it.

"So we're doing it first, to make sure the Government acts before terrorists do."

Greenpeace recently filmed a train carrying nuclear waste stopping and waiting at a passenger platform at a station in Worcester.

Ms North said: "Allowing nuclear trains is already grossly irresponsible, yet Tony Blair wants to build even more nuclear power stations, creating even more perilous radioactive waste."

Concern was sparked after the Daily Mirror described how a reporter wandered up to the unattended wagons at Direct Rail Services' Brent yard in north west London and placed a device on the train as it sat in sidings.

The reporter said his only identification as a legitimate rail worker was a fluorescent orange jacket and hard hat, on sale at any builders' merchants.

After the report was published, a spokeswoman for Direct Rail Services said: "Discussions with the OCNS have taken place over the event that happened on July 19 at Brent yard - a north west London depot.

"Direct Rail Services and the OCNS are aware of the circumstances outlined and clearly there are matters that require full investigation before any conclusions can be drawn or further comment made."

[tugboatcharly2]

I notice the interest in the nuclear train travelling through this part of the world it has been doing so since the the first Hinckley point station opened and the only mishap to the train was a pair of wheels derailed in Gloucester south yard . May refer you to test when a diesel loco was deliberately crashed at 100mph a container which showed no sign of damage,but the loco completely disintegrated. If any terrorist tried to break in they would need a bigger bomb to succeed.

[BristleGWR]

There's a video of the test here..

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?doc ... 8659986508

http://www.6lda28.com/od1a.htm

[mow]

Greenpeace reveal that bears defacting in woods present hazard to health. Shock, Horror.

If nuclear 'waste' is transported by rail in a small, crowded island, then it is hard to see how the stuff is not taken near centres of population.

[simon]

On the way, the train passes through several stations in the area, including Highbridge and Burnham, Yatton, Nailsea and Backwell, Parson Street, Bedminster. It then goes on to Clifton Down, Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road, Filton Abbey Wood, Bristol Parkway and Yate.

blimey that's an interesting route - Bedminster to Clifton Down I know its a long time since I lived inBristol but when did that route get built?

On a more serious note it is a highly irresponsible bit of propaganda by Greenpeace given how they got the government to destry a class 46 all those years ago..

[Bartonhillbum]

Good Evening
Anyone any news on timings of these trains ?
As I have to do an article for 'Grassroots' a community newspaper that is curculated within the NDC area of Bristol (Barton Hill, Lawrence Hill, Redfield, The Dings) so far all everyone does is pass me on, when I ask questions of the relevant 'Authorities'.

With regards to the route from Bedminster to Clifton Down & then Clifton down to Lawrwence Hill Stapleton Road etc.. what happend to Montpelier

Simon, it just goes to show how out of touch the local (?) reporters are. No-one commented in the letters section of the 'Post, unless of course it was never printed as it was judged not being of local intrest.


Bartonhillbum

[horace]

Another Green peace panic. I remember the same story coming out a few years back. This is green peace recycling old news. Well i suppose it is more environmently friendly to use the old news sheets and just change the date, saves new paper. Sorry for the complacency but this has been going on for years and years and as yet i do not know of anybody turning green or suchlike due to it. I mean just think how much radiation comes off of all thise luminous watches passing with every train that goes by.

Green peace should start presenting reasonable arguments, they might get more support that way, rather than resort to hype like this.

[John Ball]

Many people don't like nuclear power, and I respect their views, but it doesn't alter the fact that we have it, and consequently there is nuclear waste that has to be transported whether we like it or not.

The hard fact of the matter is that rail is safer than road transport for this. I see no point in Greenpeace making a fuss about rail transport of the stuff, when they'd fuss even more about it going in a lorry down the High Street.

John

[dragonryder]

Many people don't like nuclear power, and I respect their views, but it doesn't alter the fact that we have it, and consequently there is nuclear waste that has to be transported whether we like it or not.

The hard fact of the matter is that rail is safer than road transport for this. I see no point in Greenpeace making a fuss about rail transport of the stuff, when they'd fuss even more about it going in a lorry down the High Street.

John

too right, this stuff needs shifting, whats the other alternative ferry it about in the traffic on a lorry, wake up people, much safer by rail.
anyway, im sure as everyone else has said the containers are tested to destruction, and should one come off the rails no harm would come.

[MKC]

does anyone know the days/times for this now? i'm hoping to see some chopper/tractor action

[Mitch]

If the locals are worried about the ultra-safe transportation of nuclear waste through Bristol, it's a good job they don't know about the stuff we worked through the city during the Faulklands war, en route to Plymouth.
Those trains were accompanied by heavily armed soldiers....
Andy

[horace]

Not half as much as was carted to Fairford for the waiting B52's in the latest of Georges forays into other peoples countries.

[tugboatcharly2]

Whats the panic? I personally drove the train from Bridgwater and nobody cared about my welfare or my mates who drove on a regular basis its a pity that that green peace rabble couldn't"t find some thing better to do than frighten people. Its over "40 years" now that the train has been running with only a minor derailment in Gloucester south yard on a pair of points which were not closed correctly by a shunter, how do I know? I was there.

[jules]

Of course the journo erroneously inserted Clifton Down into the route.

Far more likely to cause shock horror if they can include "Clifton" in their irresponsible and inaccurate scare-mongering.

He should have gone all the way - something along the lines of "Nuclear Bomb Threat under The Downs".

Hey, they could even fire the missile up the ventilation shaft by the zoo

[stumpytrain]

Far more likely to cause shock horror if they can include "Clifton" in their irresponsible and inaccurate scare-mongering.

I guess they dreamt up Clifton as being in the booked route after the train was diverted that way during the Filton resignalling!

Alex