The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

Two members of staff from RWMD, Mark Gough and Trish Reynolds, accompanied a group of delegates from the West Cumbria MRWS Partnership on a fact-finding visit to France.

Last month's visit was facilitated by NDA/RWMD and hosted by Andra, the French organisation responsible for managing radioactive waste. Partnership members were funded through the Government's Engagement Package associated with the MRWS programme. 

The group visited the Meuse/Haute-Marne underground research laboratory (URL), at Bure, 500m metres (1,600 feet) underground which has been built to test the suitability of the area for a possible geological disposal facility (GDF) for higher activity radioactive waste. The party were also able to visit the low and short-lived intermediate-level waste facility at Centre de L'Aube. 

The party included eight representatives from the West Cumbria MRWS Partnership (Elaine Woodburn, Tim Knowles, Allan Holiday, Alan Smith, Carni McCarron Holmes, John Kane and Peter Kane), Richard Griffin (Allerdale Nuclear Issues Officer), Ian Curwen from Copeland Borough Council and a correspondent from BBC Cumbria.  

The West Cumbria MRWS Partnership was keen to understand the issues that could be involved in West Cumbria if they were to participate in the siting process for a GDF in the UK. The visit to France was an opportunity for Partnership members and RWMD to experience firsthand what lessons can be learnt in an area where investigations are being carried out. For RWMD in particular, it was an opportunity to meet with Andra staff and discuss technical issues to gain a better understanding of the technical challenges associated with geological disposal and the environmental effects associated with underground operations. 

Meetings were also held with the Meuse/Haute-Marne community representatives when delegates from the Partnership had an opportunity to ask questions about how the siting process is working in France from a community perspective and how local people have been involved. They were also able to explore issues relating to community benefits and added value for the region hosting the facility. 

A report on the visit to France is being prepared by the West Cumbrian participants and will be presented to the full MRWS Partnership.

The report will also be made available on their website www.westcumbriamrws.org.uk.