The UK’s Magnox North has just begun a new trial into transporting low-level waste from Berkeley power station, in Gloucestershire, by train to the Drigg disposal site, in Cumbria.
Currently, low-level radioactive waste is transported from sites managed by Magnox Electric by road to Sellafield and then by rail for the short journey to Drigg.
A feasibility study is investigating the option of running a number of low-level waste consignments by rail, as an alternative to some of the road movements.
The first part of this study was a lifting trial using empty containers, which took place at Berkeley railhead on 4 December.
After that, Magnox North is running a second trial using loaded low-level waste containers.
The findings of the study will be published.
Magnox North stated: “It is important to clarify that the study will only evaluate the possibility of using rail as an alternative to material that is already being transported to the low-level waste repository by road.
“The organisation is committed to reducing the environmental impact of our operations and driving innovation in all areas of our business wherever possible.”
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