Sellafield site takes centre stage

Sellafield in West Cumbria has recently hosted key national and local stakeholders, including Lord Hunt, Josh MacAlister MP, and Professor Dame Angela McLean. Their visits focused on the ongoing efforts to clean up legacy facilities and the construction of new buildings for nuclear waste processing and storage. Lord Hunt emphasized the site's crucial role in supporting the nation's nuclear power stations and praised the progress made since his last visit over 14 years ago. Josh MacAlister highlighted the pride of the local community in their nuclear heritage and the potential for economic growth stemming from the decommissioning work at Sellafield. He expressed optimism that this work could lead to innovation and job creation in the north of England. Professor McLean's visit included a tour of research and development facilities, showcasing the site's commitment to leveraging technology for a safer and more sustainable clean-up process. Sellafield Ltd's Chief Technology Officer, Robin Ibbotson, noted the site's history of nuclear achievements and the ongoing efforts to enhance safety and efficiency in clean-up operations. CEO Euan Hutton expressed pride in hosting stakeholders, allowing staff to demonstrate their innovative work and the significant progress made in recent years, including the retrieval of waste from legacy ponds and silos. David Peattie, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement in showcasing the scale of their work and the positive impact on local communities. The NDA has invested £50 million in socio-economic projects over four years, highlighting their commitment to creating employment opportunities and delivering value for UK taxpayers.