Entire area - Nuclear waste on city railways
Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 11:47 pm
Ref.: thisisbristol - 22 July 2006
Link to online source
--------------------
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."
Link to online source
--------------------
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."
