INITIAL GATE FOR TRIDENT REPLACEMENT POSTPONED
Following a series of claims and counter-claims about the timetable for announcing the 'Initial Gate' decision for the programme to replace the UK's Trident nuclear weapons programme, defence ministers have finally made an unambiguous announcement that the decision is to be delayed by “a few months”.
NIS Update 15th April 2009, UK Nuclear warhead production down to one a year.
Global Security: Non-Proliferation
NIS argues that the risks posed by British nuclear weapons production and road transport of warheads threaten each individual citizen and our way of life. Additionally, the risk of a criticality event at the substandard warhead assembly/disassembly facilities at AWE Burghfield is also unacceptable and unjustifiable.
Read the NIS submission to the FCO.
NIS Update, 18th August 2008
Planning Committee Approval for CMRF
LAESI Guidelines – from MoD website
The MoD Guidelines for nuclear transport accidents are known as Local Authority and Emergency Services Information are now in their 6th Version.
Versions 1 – 3 included the information that a transported warhead subjected to fire and impact could 'jet' plutonium. This data is no longer included.
9 Jun 2008 : Column 66W*
*HMS Superb*
*Mr. Hancock:* To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for HMS Superb to dock and have her damage assessed before returning to the UK; and if he will make a statement. [208735]
A follow up question is to be put to discover the number of SEG operations for 2007/8 and if existing nuclear materials load carriers means the existing TCHDs (due for replacement as stated) or SNM vehicles – SMVs that NW has spotted only twice in a year.
*HANSARD
2 Jun 2008 : Column 693W*
*16 May 2008 : Column 1805W* *Radioactive Materials: Transport* *Mr. Hancock:* To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 30 April 2008, /Official Report/, column 484W, on radioactive materials: transport, what plans he has to ensure that the refurbished truck cargo heavy duty trailers and newly purchased tractor heads are compliant with regulations on radiation hazard, with particular reference to the carrying of radiation hazard warning signs when loaded with special nuclear materials; and if he will make a statement. [205190] *Mr.
*16 May 2008 : Column 1805W* *Radioactive Materials: Transport* *Mr. Hancock:* To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 30 April 2008, /Official Report/, column 484W, on radioactive materials: transport, what plans he has to ensure that the refurbished truck cargo heavy duty trailers and newly purchased tractor heads are compliant with regulations on radiation hazard, with particular reference to the carrying of radiation hazard warning signs when loaded with special nuclear materials; and if he will make a statement. [205190] *Mr.
NIS Update 14th May 2008, AWE has sacrificed its core work for new-build in a flawed business model.
Further details of the Ministry of Defence’s proposals to replace the vehicles used to transport nuclear materials by road have recently been released in response to a Freedom of Information Act request made by Caroline Lucas MEP.
NIS Note _*MOD appear to be cutting costs and options by reducing NW transporters.* The ministerial reply does not mention SNM carriers, known as Special Nuclear Vehicles (SNVs) – old Seden Atkinson blue box trucks Nos 3 & 4 with grey diamond slots where nuclear hazard warning signs were displayed when loaded with weapons grade materials – or new fuel rods for submarines. Instead the Answer suggests that new TCHDs (Truck Cargo Heavy Duty) Fodens will serve the SNM purpose as well as transporting warheads.
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