Image: Beatrix Potter’s Jeremy Fisher Digging for Worms – imagine digging the beautiful Lakeland coastal area and releasing contaminated waters – that’s what is proposed at Sellafield with their latest 7 metre deep tunnel next to the toxic leaking Magnox Silos.
Our challenge is in the news here in the local press
And here at Energy Voice
Not really raised in the press is that Sellafield have applied to the Environment Agency for a licence to abstract/discharge contaminated water in the vicinity of the leaking Magnox Silos. The reason the Magnox Silos are leaking is because they are partially underground. It is of huge concern that Sellafield are looking to do the same again by mining a 7 metre deep tunnel which would be part of the planned “Box Encapsulation Plant Product Store 2“ (nuclear waste is proposed to be moved from the magnox silos to the proposed BEPPS2, the plan is to then top up the Magnox Silos with fresh water to try and dilute the leaking contamination) The reason for the 7 metre deep tunnel which would release the contaminated water has not been revealed by Sellafield as far as we know, neither to the EA or to the Judge. The process of digging the tunnel and lining with concrete would say Sellafield take a very short time – which begs the question why is their application to the EA for abstraction/discharge of contaminated water for several years? Sellafield plan to abstract and dispose of 40 cubic metres an hour of contaminated water into the Rivers Calder and Ehen directly (via the Calder Interceptor Sewer) and indirectly (via groundwater and run off) for the next seven years.
a note on the Magnox Silos and why digging a 7 metre deep tunnel nearby is dangerous – apart from the obvious risks to the health of the rivers Calder and Ehen….
Since 2019, 2.3 to 2.5 cubic metres of radioactive “liquor” has been leaking uncontrollably every day 3 from the decaying Magnox swarf storage silo (MSSS) at Sellafield ‐ which is likely to continue to 2050.
That could have “potentially significant consequences” if it gathers pace, risking contaminating groundwater, according to an official document.
This latest plan by Sellafield to dig a 7 metre tunnel will “gather the pace” of contaminated groundwaters.
Thank you to all who have supported this legal challenge. We will keep pushing.
Onwards and Upwards!
Marianne
ps some of the facebook comments here are an indication of what we are up against.. I am personally described as an unclean rat (poor misunderstood rats are actually quite clean) and there is a deferential almost reverential view of Sellafield. Sadly, the commenters are mistaken – no one is being paid to oppose nuclear at Radiation Free Lakeland, any donations (which are gratefully received) go directly to campaigning. ALL of the monies raised for the legal challenge go directly to our brilliant law team at Leigh Day.
Lakes Against Nuclear Dump 
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