GMB urges completion of Hinkley Point C nuclear power station as legal case withdrawn

GMB URGES COMPLETION OF HINKLEY POINT C NUCLEAR POWER STATION AS LEGAL CASE WITHDRAWN

We are satisfied that the licence granting conditions were very strict in relation to sediment testing says GMB Union

GMB, the energy union, has urged work continues on Hinkley Point C unimpeded after a legal challenge was withdrawn by protestors today.

Campaigners had sought an injunction to stop progress on the £18 billion project but that bid was withdrawn out earlier today.

GMB is satisfied that there was adequate testing of the mud before it was signed off to be dumped in the Bristol Channel.

Concerns had been raised by protesters that there had been insufficient tests to the mud being dredged from the Site in North Somerset, before being dumped in the Bristol Channel to be washed away in the Severn’s powerful current.

When completed the power station will provide 7% of the UK’s energy needs and will mean at least 25,000 quality jobs over the duration of its construction with another 900 after operation. 65% of the project’s £18bn construction value will be placed with the UK supply chain.

Of this, the project currently provides employment for 1000 Welsh workers and is being built with more than 200,000 tonnes of Welsh steel.

John Phillips, Regional Secretary for GMB Wales and South West said:

“The position of Natural Resources Wales, Centre for Environment, Public Health Wales and CEFAS (The Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science) is unambiguous and clear in that the radioactivity levels from the dredged deposits do not pose any hazard to the environment or human health.

“We are satisfied that the licence granting conditions were very strict in relation to sediment testing, including a radiological assessment, before any dredged mud can be deposited.

“As there is currently no evidence demonstrating that the mud contains radioactive materials above the specified threshold, GMB believes that the marine sediment is suitable for disposal at the designated site, based on both current legislation and internationally accepted standards.”

Adie Baker, GMB Organiser for Wales and South West:

“Whilst we agree that public safety always has to be the number one priority, we are satisfied that independent organisations have carried out the necessary tests to declare this mud safe.

“It’s important that work on Hinkley Point C, which provides jobs over 1,000 Welsh residents and is being built with more than 200,000 tonnes of Welsh steel and 15,000 tonnes of rock from Pembrokeshire, continues unimpeded unless new evidence is found to dispute this claim.”