TRAINS passing through the area carrying nuclear waste are a disaster waiting to happen, claims a Lancaster-based transport and environment consultant.

Professor John Whitelegg, who was part of an independent inquiry into the transport of nuclear waste, says a terrorist attack on a train could leave the district facing a mini Chernobyl' scenario.

"In the current climate of increased threat from terrorist attack, there is serious safety concerns of the trains carrying highly dangerous nuclear waste," he says.

"The enhanced terrorist threat will remain long after the shooting stops in Iraq, and it's utterly irresponsible of the government to keep these trains going."

But Direct Rail Services, who are responsible for the transportation of nuclear waste, have slammed his claims.

Spokesman Dan Gould told the Citizen: "Transportation of used nuclear fuel is tightly regulated by the relevant authorities governing both the rail and nuclear industries and safety and security are our foremost priority."

He says he cannot comment on the potential for a terrorist attack on a flask carrying nuclear material - but all transported nuclear fuel is heavily shielded.

And Mr Gould adds: "A transport emergency plan exists for Great Britain to deal with the extremely unlikely event of an Incident involving a fuel flask. It is rehearsed several times a year throughout the country."

May 1, 2003 08:30