Activists express concern over disposal of nuclear power waste from Hinkley power plant. Debate rages on as China signs deal to invest in the plant.
Activists have expressed concern over the disposal of nuclear waste from Hinkley power plant. The debate has gathered momentum after the UK government has allowed Chinese investment to the project during Chinese president Xi Jingping’s recent visit to the UK.
According to the campaigners, people in south Wales may be affected by the waste from the much-talked about Hinkley Point C nuclear power project.
Hinkley in Somerset in south-west England is only 20 miles away from Barry Island in south Wales across the Bristol Channel.
“This is the worst possible decision the Conservative government has taken and it is going to impact the next 50 generations,” says Pippa Bartolotti, Wales Green Party leader.
As Chinese nuclear energy consortium signed a deal to invest £6 billion in the Hinkley project, activists warn that there is no concrete plan to dispose nuclear waste.
Stop-Hinkley, the pressure group campaigning against nuclear power projects, had put up demonstration camps near the plant site during the Chinese president’s visit, dismissed the government’s assurance of safety and security of the plant.
“Much remains to be negotiated. They also need to resolve safety issues. The promoters have not yet resolved the issue at a similar plant they are constructing at Flammanville in Normandy,” said Roy Pamphrey, spokesperson, Stop-Hinkley. “Our fight will continue.”