BAE Systems wants to move where it uses radioactive substances at Barrow Shipyard.
The Environment Agency has launched a consultation about the proposal, which would extend the boundary from where it already uses radioactive substances and has a permit to do so.
The permit controls receipt and disposal of radioactive waste and imposes conditions and limits on radioactive discharges to the environment.
The proposed changes to the permit are:
- An extension to the boundary of the permit
- Addition of conditions and limits relating to keeping and use of radioactive material, in the form of open sources
- Addition of conditions and limits relating to accumulation of radioactive waste.
The Environment Agency said: “BAE Systems Marine Ltd build, test and commission nuclear-powered submarines at the Barrow Shipyards site.
“Small quantities of solid, liquid and gaseous radioactive waste are produced during testing and commissioning of the submarines.
“There is no proposed change to the type, volume or activity of radioactive waste to be generated, but the location at which testing and commissioning will take place will change when the new Dreadnought submarines are built.”
Rona Arkle, nuclear regulator for the Environment Agency, said: “The Environment Agency is giving residents and businesses the opportunity to comment on the application to vary the permit for the Barrow Shipyards site in Cumbria. We regulate the site under an existing radioactive substances activities (RSA) permit.
“We welcome your views and feedback on the permit variation. There is no proposed change to the type, volume or activity of radioactive waste to be generated. The variation is to extend the boundary of the permit within the Barrow Shipyards site.”
For more information about the consultation, click here.
