Forthcoming Events
17 March 2010
10th National Stakeholder Group Meeting
This meeting is by invitation only. It allows declared stakeholders to engage with NDA on various issues of national interest.
17 March 2010
Demo: Lasers in Nuclear Decommissioning
TWI Ltd present a NDA funded project to demonstrate the capabilities of lasers for surface removal of contaminated concrete and cutting of pipe and metalwork.
05 May 2010
Socio Economic Panel
Panel to consider funding requests under £100,000.
Press Enquiries
For urgent enquiries out of office hours, please use the mobile phone numbers below:
Bill Hamilton
Head of Stakeholder
Communications
Office: 01925 802193
Mobile: 07816 315132
Brian Hough
Communications Manager
Office: 01925 802177
Mobile: 07812 554009
Rachael Collins
Communications Manager
Office: 01925 802255
Mobile: 07971 918968
Deborah Ward
Communications Manager
Office: 01925 802343
Mobile: 07980 930838
Views sought on R&D for Radioactive Waste Management
12 June 2008
Comments are now being sought on how to take forward a research and development programme that will support the implementation of geological disposal. This programme is expected to spend at least £5 million per year and will increase substantially when site characterisation work starts.
Radioactive Waste Management Directorate Proposed Research and Development Strategy May 2008 (5Mb)
The extensive R&D programme builds on previous work and will be instrumental in aiding decision-making on the design and construction of a geological disposal facility for the waste, which is the preferred management option set out by Government.
The programme will span decades and it will be managed by the NDA's radioactive waste management directorate which contains many highly qualified scientists and engineers. The NDA is also responsible for designing and building the facility.
A proposed R&D strategy consolidating the work-to-date in the UK and overseas and setting out the way forward has been published today and views are now sought up until the end of November.
Richard Waite, NDA Director for Strategy, said:
"The NDA has today issued a proposed R&D strategy which outlines the R&D work needed to support the implementation of a geological disposal facility for radioactive waste. "This work builds on extensive previous experience both in this country and overseas and will take decades to complete. The proposed strategy gives an overview which has to make some assumptions, as detailed planning cannot take place before communities have volunteered a potential interest in hosting the facility. However, to allow for sound implementation planning it's crucial that resources, such as R&D, are built up in a timely manner which is consistent with the timetable set out by Government.
As ever, as we carry out our responsibilities, our watchwords of health, safety and security will remain paramount and it is important to us that we listen to all our stakeholders and understand their views."
The geological disposal facility will be designed to hold high, intermediate and some low level wastes. The research programme also includes spent fuel that may be deemed in the future to be waste.
The proposed strategy explains the drivers for the R&D programme, its prioritisation as well as proposed scrutiny and review processes. It also describes the proposed research in areas including, the packaged wastes, the engineered facility and the surrounding environment. The proposed strategy and its associated work programme will be continually revised and updated throughout the geological disposal facility’s development, operation and closure.
Please send all views and comments to:
rwmd_researchcomments@nda.gov.uk
Closing date for comments is 30 November 2008.
