Nuclear Transports

Nuclear Transport

17th July 2018

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a freight train carrying nuclear material ran a stop signal near to Kingussie on Friday night. The service was carrying spent fuel from the Dounreay Power Station to the decommissioning site at Sellafield, Cumbria. It came to a stop after travelling past a red light before being moved to a “position of safety” by concerned officials. Direct Rail Services (DRS), the company which handles shipments between the two sites on behalf of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), said they understand there was no risk of collision due to the error. However, concerns have been raised as to why a train loaded with radioactive material was allowed to sit there for almost two hours. An investigation has since been launched into the circumstances of the “highly-disturbing” incident. DRS has been transporting spent fuel between the two sites for a number of years. The material is taken from Dounreay to Georgemas Junction and loaded on to the train to Carlisle and then onto Sellafield. Tor Justad, chairperson of the Highlands Against Nuclear Transport group, said: “We’ve been campaigning for these shipments to be stopped and for the material to be kept on site. Storing nuclear material is hazardous enough but it’s when you go to transport it that accidents can happen. And obviously an incident like this is highly-disturbing. We know that low-level radiation is emitted from these canisters so to hear that the train was sitting at Kingussie for hours is concerning.”

Herald 16th July 2018 read more »

The annual Direct Rail Services Charity Open Day has become an important date in the railway year. Arrangements for the 2018 event, to be held at the DRS Gresty Bridge Depot in Crewe, promise to be every bit as great as past shows. The Open Day showcases one of Britain’s foremost railway operating companies, with a range of motive power present and past, technical demonstrations, trade and society stands and much more besides. Gresty Bridge Depot is a very easy 12 to 15 minute walk from Crewe station. For the first time, a special train will run from London Euston specially for the event, operated for UK Railtours by DRS and featuring both of their latest classes of locomotive, the powerful Class 68 diesel and the brand new Class 88.

UK Railtours (accessed) 17th July 2018 read more »

NFLA

16th June 2018

A FORUM to discuss nuclear transportation and how councils can deliver low carbon energy instead will be held in Oxford today. The Nuclear Free Local Authorities organisation will hold its summer seminar on nuclear transports – as nuclear weapons currently travel up and down the A34 – nuclear transparency and promoting low carbon energy. The local government voice on nuclear issues wants authorities to adopt anti-nuclear policies and encourage them to be part of a mixed energy supply over the next 40 years.

This is Oxfordshire 15th June 2018 read more »

Radwaste Transport

31st May 2018

Heavy police presence in Millom as Cumbria Constabulary assist in closely-guarded transport operation. Residents reported seeing ‘armed police’ at various locations across Millom

NW Evening Mail 29th May 2018 read more »

Dounreay

7th May 2018

Controversial top secret flights carrying Dounreay’s deadly nuclear waste from Scotland to the USA resumed at the weekend. A US Air Force C-17 Globemaster touched down at Wick airport at 11.51am on Saturday to receive a load of highly enriched uranium, one of the products used in the construction of nuclear bombs. Roads around Wick airport were closed prior to the convoy arriving at 12.36pm, heavily guarded by armed officers from Police Scotland and from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary on its 31-mile journey from Dounreay. The waste deal was trumpeted by former Prime Minister David Cameron and President Barack Obama arranging for highly enriched uranium to be flown from Wick to the US in return for “medical grade” uranium to make radioisotopes for detecting cancer.

Energy Voice 7th May 2018 read more »

Press and Journal 7th May 2018 read more »

Dounreay

2nd April 2018

Top secret flights carrying NUCLEAR WASTE from Britain to US ‘to run until late next year’ Four US Air Force flights carrying highly enriched uranium from Dounreay power station in the Scottish Highlands are said to have left Wick John O’Groats airport bound for South Carolina. Top secret fights taking nuclear waste between Britain and the US will reportedly continue until late next year. Four US Air Force flights carrying highly enriched uranium from Dounreay power station in the Scottish Highlands are said to have left Wick John O’Groats airport bound for South Carolina. Yet authorities have never confirmed any of the deliveries. Dounreay, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Police Scotland, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and Wick Airport all refused to comment when asked. Details of the flights apparently became public when Highland Council informed residents about road closures surrounding the airport – as it is legally obliged to do so.

Mirror 1st April 2018 read more »

Energy Voice 2nd April 2018 read more »

Press & Journal 2nd April 2018 read more »

Dounreay

1st April 2018

Top secret flights carrying nuclear waste from Scotland to USA to continue until late 2019. So far there have been four US Air Force flights carrying highly enriched uranium bound for South Carolina, taking off from Wick John O’Groats Airport, in Caithness, at weekends as the base is closed to civilian aircrafts on Saturdays. Dounreay, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Police Scotland, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and the airport have all refused to comment. Now the next consignment is imminent with an expected six or seven more to follow between now and September next year. However, the Highland Council has to, by law, inform the public about road closures around the airport and the order posted last week is code for “nuclear waste on the move”. The public notice reads: “The order has been made by reason that the Council, as highway authority, is satisfied that traffic on the road should be restricted due to the likelihood of danger to the public.” The order stepped into force yesterday and will run until the end of September 2019. However, road closures are not expected to last more than five hours at a time. The deal was trumpeted by former prime minister David Cameron and ex-US president Barack Obama, arranging for highly enriched uranium – the basic building block for a nuclear bomb – to be flown from Wick to the US in return for “medical grade” uranium to make radioisotopes for detecting cancer.

Express 1st April 2018 read more »

Nuclear Weapons Transport

31st March 2018

A nuclear weapons convoy left AWE Burghfield on Thursday March 22. It was later seen on the A1 at junction 49 near Dishforth (15 miles north of Wetherby). The following day it was spotted crossing over to the west on the A66 and then on the M74 just south of Lesmahagow. It then continued around the east of Glasgow on the M73 and past Cumbernauld on the M80 to take a break at DSG Stirling mid-afternoon. It then took the M9, A811 and A82 to RNAD Coulport. On Monday March 26 this convoy left Coulport to return south. Taking a route through Balloch and Stirling then onto the M9 and M8 to the Edinburgh bypass it then took a break at Glencorse Barracks in Penicuik. After continuing south on the A1 passing Berwick on Tweed it passed through Newcastle and after an overnight stop it then continued down the A1. It crossed country to the A34 travelling around Oxford and getting back to Burghfield around 5pm.

Nukewatch 29th March 2018 read more »

Direct Rail Services

13th December 2017

Direct Rail Services could supply locomotives and vehicles for both freight and passenger traffic on the Cumbrian Coast, as part of the construction of a new nuclear power station at Moorside in West Cumbria. The freight company has carried out a consultancy for NuGen (owned by Toshiba), while work has also been undertaken for Westinghouse and West Cumbria Mining on feasibility studies, rail development solutions and management tasks.

Rail Magazine 12th Dec 2017 read more »

Waste Transport

10th October 2017

EDF Energy have condemned claims that nuclear material travelling through South Ayrshire towns via freight trains are dangerous. Ayrshire CND raised concerns about the substances, believed to be transferred through Ayr, Prestwick and Barassie three times a week, for public health and safety, Ayrshire Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) believe this is against the Scottish Government policy and have researched the dangers of nuclear material transported by train. There are fears that trains can leak radiation and are not allowed to stop in a rail siding to prevent an accident. But EDF Energy say this is not the case.

Carrick Herald 9th Oct 2017 read more »

Waste Transport

21st September 2017

DETAILS have emerged that nuclear material is being transported by train through South Ayrshire towns, causing concern for public health and safety. The material is believed to be transferred though Ayr, Prestwick and Barassie three times a week from Hunterston and Dounreay to Sellafield in Cumbria. Ayrshire Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) believe this is against the Scottish Government policy and have researched the dangers of nuclear material transported by train. There are fears that trains can leak radiation and are not allowed to stop in a rail siding to prevent an accident. Arthur West, Secretary of Ayrshire CND, wrote in a letter: “We have recently photographed nuclear trains passing through West Kilbride, Irvine and other stations in Ayrshire. “These trains are not allowed to stop in sidings for long periods of in case they leak radiation. Ayrshire CND is planning to meet with the local transport authority to raise safety concerns for the residents of the towns these trains pass through.” Ayrshire CND are looking for support in their campaign and to raise awareness of these forms of nuclear transport.

Ayr Advertiser 21st Sept 2017 read more »