Monitoring organisation Nukewatch has released a new report that exposes the lack of preparation for nuclear accidents in Scotland.
Using Freedom of Information Requests, Nukewatch discovered that no Scottish local authorities had conducted risk assessments for nuclear convoys used for transporting nuclear warheads.
The Unready Scotland report shows that the Scottish government has failed to force authorities to comply, meaning both have breached their legal duty to safeguard the public.
The report highlights that nuclear safety is not just an issue for Westminster and reminds Scottish authorities that they have a duty to assess the risks of an emergency occurring under the 2004 Civil Contingencies Scotland Act.
Nukewatch monitors the transportation of warheads between the nuclear factories at Aldermaston and Burghfield in Berkshire and the Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Coulport in Argyll. The convoys travel unmarked on public roads at night, transporting nuclear materials surrounded by high explosives that could cause a 5 kilometre explosion of plutonium and uranium.
Kate Hudson, CND General Secretary, said:
“This report highlights very serious safety concerns. Sadly it doesn’t come as a surprise to CND that these problems were not uncovered and addressed by the government. There is a culture of secrecy and cover-up that goes straight to the heart of government when it comes to nuclear weapons.
“Last year it was revealed that the convoys that shuttle nuclear bombs up and down the country reported 43 safety incidents in the previous three year period. This month we also learnt that the Atomic Weapons Establishment has failed to meet the expected safety standards at the nuclear bomb factory in Aldermaston and another AWE site at Burghfield.
“And earlier this year, a Times newspaper investigation found that Theresa May covered up a failed Trident missile test in 2016. MPs were then asked to decide on whether to spend £205 billion to replace Trident whilst unaware of these problems. It’s time for a new culture of transparency and accountability: after all, these weapons are paid for by the British people and it is we who will be negatively affected by nuclear accidents and radioactive leaks.”
Please sign Nukewatch’s petition calling for an honest and open review into ‘Unready Scotland’.