HomeNewsHinkley Point B nuclear power station safety zone could be expanded

Hinkley Point B nuclear power station safety zone could be expanded

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People living close to Hinkley Point B power station are being asked whether the emergency planning zone round the nuclear plant should be altered.

Currently the zone has a two-mile (3.5 km) radius, which includes Stogursey village and some smaller communities nearby.

But the government has asked local councils to review whether that should change.

Anti-nuclear campaigners say the zone should not be made any smaller, on safety grounds.

Earlier this year, the government changed the law, which means local councils now have responsibility for setting the size and shape of emergency planning zones instead of the Office for Nuclear Regulation.

If there was a radiation leak, a series of measures would be taken for those living within the emergency zone. This includes evacuation advice and the issuing of iodine tablets.

A new report from EDF Energy says the zone should cover at least 1km, but has not stated any recommendation.

Anti-nuclear campaigner Roy Pomfrey, from the Stop Hinkley campaign group, says: “I certainly don’t want the zone to be made any smaller. In France, stable iodine tablets are being issued to anybody within 20km (about 12.4 miles) of a nuclear reactor.”

Sometset County Council says it will be guided by public opinion and the zone would only be made smaller if residents wanted this.

Hinkley Point has three nuclear power stations: A was decommissioned in 2000, B is operational, and C is under construction. A final decision is due to be made later this year.

 

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