FEARS OVER NEW REACTOR FOR NUCLEAR PLANT

Western Daily Press, 29 April 2008

Campaigners are furious to learn of plans for an unproven nuclear reactor.

If given the go-ahead, the proposals would mean a Westinghouse AP1000 model is used at the Oldbury site, South Gloucestershire , which is home to a corroded reactor.

The deal follows the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's (NDA) decision to sell its nuclear sites to potential investors in nuclear new build.

The NDA asked the Government for £400 million earlier this year to support its decommissioning of old sites such as Hinkley in Somerset .

Jim Duffy spokesman for Shut Oldbury and the Stop Hinkley campaign, said: "It's a great matter of concern that bids are going in to build this untested reactor with its odd money-saving design.

"It is doubtful regulators will have the resources to fully test and licence these reactor designs in such a short period."