Defra, UK - Environmental Protection - Radioactivity - Radioactive waste

Consultation on policy for the long term management of solid low level radioactive waste in the UK

This consultation ended on 31 May 2006. The sponsors of the consultation would like to thank all those who took part in this exercise.

One hundred and fifty responses were received - around 60% came from people and organisations based in England, 30% in Scotland and the remainder in Wales and Northern Ireland.

They have come from the following backgrounds:

Nuclear industry, professional bodies and consultants – 27%
Local authorities and associated bodies – 26%
Non nuclear sectors (ie education, research, pharmaceutical industry, medical sector and oil and gas industries) – 21%
Individual members of the public – 10%
Non Governmental organisations – 5%

The remainder came from a range of organisations, including central Government, regulators, academic institutions and landfill and incinerator operators.

The number and complexity of the responses have meant that their analysis has taken longer than was expected in the original timetable for this work (in which it was planned to issue new LLW policy by the end of July 2006).

However, around two thirds of respondents broadly supported the policy set out in the consultation document, albeit with extensive comment and caveats. Some issues, notably on identification of options and on the proposed redefinition of Very Low Level Waste, elicited the least level of agreement. Many constructive suggestions were offered in response to questions regarding the roles of different facilities for LLW and on the roles of planning strategies in the management of LLW.