Lib Dems Not Going Soft on Opposition to Dungeness C

Shepway Liberal Democrat Leader Lynne Beaumont has reacted to suggestions that her comments to the Romney Marsh Times may have signalled a softening of Lib Dem opposition to a new-build nuclear power station at Dungeness.

Having pushed for a tourist centered plan for the Marsh, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Beaumont stated these plans would not be an 'either/or situation ... but run alongside any decision that is made [about Dungeness C]'.

In comments to FUTS, PPC Beaumont confirms her opposition to a new power station,'There is nothing soft about the Lib Dems stand on Dungeness C. I am against the building of a new nuclear power station at Dungeness'.

Raising concerns over waste storage and the long term future of the site, PPC Beaumont continues, 'New build nuclear power stations, are a completely different animal to Dungeness A and B. All new build nuclear power stations, keep High level waste on site. High level waste is solely spent nuclear fuel rods. They will have to stay on site for around 160 years.

'It would be contained in cooling ponds inside the reactor building immediately adjacent to the reactor itself. After several years, as the internal cooling ponds fill up it will be moved just outside of the main building into a purpose built HLW store. What this means, is that high level waste will be kept, and stored on site, with no possibility of being able to move it in an emergency.

'Now ask yourself the question. Would you allow this to be built in one of the highest flood risk areas in the country? My answer: no. Where will sea levels be in 200 years? Nobody knows the answer to that question, and this is a risk far far too great to take.'

The Liberal Democrat opposition to a new-build nuclear power station has generated much debate and PPC Beaumont has appeared on front pages and local TV news bulletins. Some commentators have supported opposition, but others have described a new power station as necessary to keep jobs in the local area.
 
One Conservative Councillor has suggested that the Liberal Democrats are scaremongering over waste storage, looking for votes.
 
With Conservatives and Labour politicians calling for a new power station and putting together cases and presentations to take to Westminster, this will remain an important issue in the lead up to a national election and beyond.