A BUSINESS involved in the hunt to find a suitable site for a nuclear disposal facility has spoken about why they are involved.

Radioactive Waste Management (RWM), the public body responsible for planning and delivering geological disposal in the UK, is exploring the possibility of creating a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) in Allerdale.

Following initial discussions with RWM, Genr8 North Ltd said it was keen to understand whether the borough, including the adjacent inshore area off the coast, had the potential to host a GDF.

A initial evaluation was completed by RWM which concluded there was potential to host a GDF in Allerdale, with the Allerdale GDF Working Group launched two weeks ago to begin discussions with the community.

Mark Walker, director of GenR8 North Ltd. said “We don’t have a specific site in mind, but as the UK is going to build a GDF, we believe West Cumbria should get the opportunity to host it.

“We’re just kicking off the process – any future decision needs to be based on accurate, factual analysis of the geological conditions, and crucially, should be taken by local people.

“We owe it to our future generations to deliver a long-term sustainable solution for this waste.

“It’s a legacy we simply have to deal with and surface storage as we have today, mostly nearby at Sellafield, is only temporary.

“We want to see how a GDF could help secure the long-term economic, skills-based regeneration of West Cumbria.

“We shouldn’t underestimate the potential a project like this could have, particularly around unlocking investment in infrastructure and the development of sustainable skilled jobs.”

Go to https://allerdale.workinginpartnership.org.uk