Significant progress has been made in delivering the major projects programme at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), with three key new facilities on schedule for handover to operational managers next year.
Aldermaston latest news
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Fears over structural safety of buildings halts work at Atomic Weapons Establishment
Production work has been halted in one of the main manufacturing facilities at the UK's nuclear weapons factory because of safety fears caused by corrosion of structural steelwork. The government's nuclear safety watchdog, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), has issued managers at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) at Aldermaston, Berkshire, where the warheads for […]
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Expert review of MoD disarmament verification programme recommends publication of research findings
A review of the Ministry of Defence research programme on the verification of nuclear weapon disarmament conducted by independent experts from the British Pugwash Group has concluded that the programme is appropriately focused and has made some useful achievements but has made disappointing progress in publishing research results and is working with “seriously insufficient” resources.
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Warhead factory fire court case adjourned again
A prosecution of the Atomic Weapons Establishment has been adjourned for a second time following a decision to transfer the case from Reading Magistrates Court to Reading Crown Court.
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Fire service called to acid incident at AWE Aldermaston
A Parliamentary Question asked by Green Party MP Caroline Lucas has revealed that the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service was called out to the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston on 16 August 2012 to deal with an incident resulting from an acid experiment.
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Nuclear safety regulator: more work to do in completing post-Fukushima improvements
A report on progress made in implementing recommendations to upgrade the safety of the British nuclear industry in the wake of the Fukushima accident has concluded that more than 400 improvement actions have yet to be completed.
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Unanswered questions following Ministry of Defence Fukushima review
A range of potential safety issues identified following a review of the Ministry of Defence's nuclear weapons and nuclear submarine programmes need further investigation, according to the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR). The safety review was conducted by DNSR in the light of the Fukushima nuclear accident, following a similar review undertaken by the Office […]
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Atomic Weapons Establishment fire cover-up prompts call for greater safety disclosure
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NIS Update: August 2012
This month's NIS Update includes information on plans to hand over the RNAD Coulport Trident nuclear weapons store to private sector contractors; delays in hearing the court case resulting from the August 2010 fire at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, and arrangements for power range testing the nuclear reactor on board the Royal Navy's new Astute class submarine, HMS Ambush.
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NIS Update: July 2012
STAFF SHORTAGES AND RESOURCE CUTS CHALLENGE MoD NUCLEAR SAFETY
Staff shortages and spending cuts remain key concerns in managing the safety of Ministry of Defence (MoD) nuclear weapons and nuclear powered submarine programmes, according to the annual report of the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR).
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NIS Update: June 2012
TWO-YEAR BLUEPRINT PUBLISHED FOR REMOVING TRIDENT FROM SCOTLAND
Scottish ministers have welcomed a practical guide, drawn up by the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (SCND), on how to dismantle the Trident nuclear weapons system and remove it from Scotland within two years of independence.
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Health and Safety Executive to prosecute Atomic Weapons Establishment over fire
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has decided to prosecute AWE plc, the private company which operates the Atomic Weapons Establishment, following a fire in an explosives handling facility at AWE Aldermaston in August 2010. AWE plc has been summoned to appear at Reading Magistrates Court on 6 August 2012 to face charges of failing […]