British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) has refused to allow Greenpeace to attend this week's Wylfa Local Community Liaison Council to ask questions about the safety of the controversial nuclear plant on Anglesey (1).
"BNFL is putting secrecy ahead of safety," said Greenpeace campaigner Bridget Woodman, "A nuclear accident could affect us all."
In March, Welsh Assembly members heard the results of a Greenpeace commissioned report into the dangers of allowing the ageing Wylfa nuclear power station to reopen (2). Independent nuclear engineer John Large highlighted the potential catastrophic consequences of defective welds inside the nuclear plant and the ageing and deterioration of other vital reactor components.
He concluded that if Wylfa is allowed to re-open, a failure of the welds and the weakened reactor components could combine to result in uncontrolled, large-scale releases of radioactivity.
Despite the criticisms, BNFL is pressing ahead with plans to re-open Wylfa without repairing the welds.
"BNFL's complacency is frightening", said Woodman, "Its constant refusal to engage in any debate about safety at Wylfa show a complete disdain for public concerns about safety at the station."
In its letter to Greenpeace, BNFL argues that the local liaison meeting is for members of the local community only. Greenpeace has nearly 200 supporters in Anglesey.
Even BNFL's most notorious site - Sellafield in Cumbria - allows widespread, informal public attendance and questioning at its Local Community Liaison Committee meetings (3).
The campaign to stop Wylfa re-opening is also supported by PAWB (People Against Wylfa B/Pobol Atal Wylfa B), a group based on Anglesey, WANA (Welsh Anti-Nuclear Alliance), CND Cymru and Friends of the Earth Cymru.
Notes for editor's:
- The letter from BNFL to Greenpeace (dated 10 May 2001), and Greenpeace's response, is available on request. The Wylfa Local Liaison Committee (LCLC) meets this Wednesday (16 May) at 10.30am at Wylfa.
- Review of Ageing Processes and their Influence on the Safety and Performance of Wylfa Nuclear Power Station, John Large, Large and Associates. The report is available to download here (file prepared as a PDF).
- The Sellafield LCLC represents 'anyone and everyone' according to its publicity material.
