By Alan Irving

Last updated at 13:08, Friday, 20 July 2012

It is now up to three Cumbrian local authorities whether to try to find somewhere in the area to bury highly radioactive nuclear waste.

But senior Cumbria, Copeland and Allerdale councillors have promised that the crucial decision would be made in public at executive and cabinet meetings.

Tim Knowles, county council cabinet member, Elaine Woodburn and Alan Smith, leaders of Copeland and Allerdale councils, are adamant that the final decision will not be a fait accompli in favour of going forward to search for a suitable geological site deep underground in west Cumbria.

The decision is expected to be made in October following a meeting yesterday by West Cumbria’s Managing Radioactive Waste Safely Partnership to approve a 221-page document covering all the issues in three years’ work.

And while the Partnership won’t make any recommendations to the council decision-makers, it calls on Government to give cast-iron legal guarantees to honour assurances over community benefits and the right for any potential ‘host community’ to pull out before construction starts.

Lack of trust is said to be the root of key concerns.

Ms Woodburn said: “There’s still a lot of questions to be answered before we say yes or no. Community benefits are important but clearly getting the geology, safety and security are the most important parts.

“I live in Copeland, I want to make the right decision for me and my family and the people I represent.

“And we need a commitment from Government that they will put it on a legal footing that we will get the benefits that should come with hosting a national facility if it were to go forward.”

Asked if there was a danger of a fait accompli, Mr Knowles, county council cabinet member for environment, said: “Absolutely not. We’ve got 84 members in the county council and there are a significant number of councillors involved with the district councils. They will express their views and it would be a foolish executive of any authority that ignores them. Of course, the public I’m sure will express its own views – now and when the local authorities make their decision.

“It is hugely important and we need to make sure what we do is right for Cumbria.”

Allerdale council leader Alan Smith said: “I’ve still got an open mind and I am quite happy with the discussions we’ve had over the last three years.

“There’s no back doors, no smoke and mirrors, we’ve tried to do everything in a positive, open forum.”

Mr Smith also stressed for legislation in order to honour commitments. “If it’s in legislation it can’t be lost in years ahead. We need these reassurances.”

Marianne Birkby, for Radiation Free Lakeland, said: “I think it’s horrendous. We shouldn’t be here in the first place.”

First published at 12:52, Friday, 20 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk