The team working on Vitrification line 3 at Sellafield should have introduced its first batch of radioactive material by the start of February and be working on a phased ramp-up as it completes a programme of testing.
At the end of December 2001, the team received permission to start work on active commissioning. Once it is complete, Vitrification line 3 will join the two existing lines in converting high-level radioactive wastes produced during reprocessing into solid glass blocks for long-term storage.