NDA Archives Ltd, a subsidiary of the UK's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, has selected Crimson as its preferred bidder to set up and manage a £20 million UK nuclear archive at Wick in Scotland.
Crimson will be responsible for the safe and secure transport and storage of 70 years' of historic information from all of the UK civil nuclear sites to the archive in Wick for long-term preservation. The initial contract will last up to seven years.
The NDA says the vast number of records stored in kilometers of shelving at the archive will support both research and forthcoming nuclear decommissioning projects. Much of the information will also be converted into digital format.
More than 20 staff will be employed in Wick to manage the records, plans, photographs, drawings and other important information, which dating as far back as the Second World War. Public access will be a 'top priority,' according to the NDA.
The UK Nuclear Archive, which is being developed in partnership with Highland Council, will be located opposite the airport at Wick.
Chair of the Dounreay Stakeholder Group, David Flear said: "I'm very pleased that the commercial partner has been appointed and look forward to working with Crimson as they roll out their public engagement and socio economic programme. The Dounreay Stakeholder Group has been involved with the NDA on this project for some time now and we are very pleased to see everything we hoped for appears to be coming to fruition."
Photo: Artist's impression of Nuclear Archive (Credit NDA)
