British Energy has this week formally applied for permission to reopen Hinkley B nuclear power station, near Burnham-On-Sea, after six months of repairs.
The station – pictured here with Burnham’s beach in the foreground – was closed in September for repairs to cracked pipes in the boiler system.
The Stop Hinkley Campaign Group argues it is not safe and British Energy will be taking risks by operating it. The power station is due to be decommissioned in 2011.
Campaign group spokesperson Jim Duffy said: “We’re already passed the effective life of this nuclear reactor and what’s happening is that Hinkley are acting on a string and a prayer.”
He claimed the fact that it took three months longer than expected to complete the repairs meant it was not safe.
But Nigel Cann, Director of Hinkley B section, said if the units were not in a position to start up safely, then they would not. “Our responsibility to the safety of the public and our staff members is always our number one priority,” he said.
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