§ Mr. Robin F. Cookasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the maximum weight of both lorries and containers used by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and the Central Electricity Generating Board to transport fuel and spent fuel to and from nuclear power stations, and the maximum fully laden axle weight.
§ Mr. Eadie:I am advised by the CEGB and UKAEA that all spent fuel from nuclear power stations, with the exception of Chapelcross, is transported over the major parts of the journeys to Windscale by rail. Transport by road is used for the short distances between reactor site and railhead the maximum being 17 miles. The maximum total weight of lorry and container is 82 tons with a maximum axle weight of 20 tons. The maximum weight of the container is 55 tons.
Fuel from the Chapelcross station in Dumfriesshire—operated by BNFL—is carried to Windscale by road in a 42 ton container. The total laden weight of the vehicle is 91 tons, and the maximum axle weight is 16½ tons.
Unirradiated fuel being taken to power stations is only slightly radioactive and therefore does not require massive containers. Transport is provided by a number of carriers and details are not available of the various vehicles used, but in no case is a total laden weight of 32 tons exceeded.