Files compiled by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) and released after a protracted battle between journalists and the Ministry of Defence, have revealed that Britain’s nuclear warhead base is crumbling and toxic waste has been leaking into the sea.
An exclusive investigation by The Ferret and The Guardian found that the Royal Navy is failing to properly maintain a network of 1,500 water pipes at its base in Coulport, where Britain’s nuclear warheads are stored. Frequently burst pipes mean radioactive water has been leaking into the surrounding environment, including Loch Long, an area popular for fishing and aquatic sports.
SEPA said that a major flood into the loch was caused by “shortfalls in maintenance” which resulted in “unnecessary radioactive waste.” Another report from 2022 said the Navy’s plan to fix the pipes was “sub-optimal.”
The watchdog also expressed concern at the nearby base of Faslane, where Britain’s nuclear submarine fleet is based saying in 2020 that half of the components at the base were “beyond design life.”
The MoD spent six years battling the release of documents which shine a light on radioactive leaks that occurred at Coulport as far back as 2010. In May this year, The Ferret reported that at least 12 radioactive incidents could have occurred at Faslane since 2023 , which the MoD said had “actual or high potential for radioactive release to the environment.”
While SEPA publishes data on toxic discharges from Coulport and Faslane annually, it insisted that these are of Coulport and Faslane are “of no regulatory concern.” However, the regulator does not define what it means by “no regulatory concern” and both bases are exempt from most regulations.
CND General Secretary Sophie Bolt said:
“Once again, Britain’s nuclear weapons are shown to be a danger to the health of local communities. And once again, the MoD is found out to be trying to shamefully cover it up. Rather than keeping people safe, Britain’s nuclear weapons are exposing the public living or spending time near these bases to toxic radioactive water without their knowledge. Billions of pounds have been spent on improving the bases at Faslane and Coulport in recent years, but it appears that vital safety works have not been undertaken or mismanaged. We’re being conned. The public should not have to face cuts to public services in order to pay for a nuclear weapons system that risks us all.”