§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether any nuclear waste for disposal or reprocessing passes through Bolton; which bodies, such as 214W local authorities, police and fire brigades are informed of the transport of such waste; and if he will list the precautions taken.
§ Mr. EyreThe safety requirements for this type of traffic are based on strict compliance with the International Atomic Energy Agency's "Regulations for the Safe 215W Transport of Radioactive Materials". The essential aim is to ensure that the containers in which these materials are carried can themselves safely withstand a very severe accident wherever it might occur. There are, in addition, established procedures in the event of an accident which provide for emergency services and appropriate authorities to be alerted and brought in as the circumstances demand.
Routeing of trains is an operational matter for British Rail. I understand that trains conveying irradiated fuel are not normally routed through Bolton.