Fears that nuclear waste might be transported on local roads have been expressed by Largs Community Council. Members have severe concerns over a plan by the operators of Hunterston nuclear power station to change the way radioactive waste is handled.

EDF Energy want to vary the authorisations for Hunterston and Torness to enable radioactive waste to be moved between sites for “accumulation” before being disposed of elsewhere via road convoys through the central belt.

This has led the community council to question the implications for the area if waste is brought from elsewhere.

Mrs Patricia Perman commented at last week’s meeting: “It’s asking for trouble. Will it be coming through Largs — down the Haylie Brae? It’s the thin end of the wedge.” Her husband Jim Perman said “It is being described as ‘reasonably safe’ — I know it’s not going to blow up the West of Scotland but what is reasonably safe?” Chairman Douglas Blair said there was cast iron guarantees given in the past that no waste would be coming to Hunterston from elsewhere.

The council also echoed concerns raised by the Ayrshire Green Party about the way in which the public found out about the plans.

In last week’s ‘News’, Ayrshire Greens co-convener Yvonne McLellan said: “An application was submitted to SEPA from EDF eight months ago. It’s not good enough that most local people are only learning about it via the media.” A motion proposed by Mrs Perman, and seconded by Cllr Margaret Wood, that the council object to the EDF proposal was carried unanimously.

As we reported last week, a spokesperson for EDF stated recently that Hunterston B nuclear power station had no plans to become a waste storage facility for other EDF Energy sites.

The change was purely a practical one to facilitate more flexible disposals by allowing waste to be collected temporarily at one site before being sent for disposal to an authorised facility.

The spokesperson added: “The Scottish environmental regulator SEPA authorises the routes for the disposal of low level radioactive waste from Hunterston B nuclear power station. This low level waste consists of items like industrial clothing, waste paper and cardboard, plastic, metals and oils.” French company EDF, operator of Hunterston B, has applied to SEPA for a change in the regulations which would allow this waste to be received by all suitably authorised facilities.

The spokesperson added: “This change could also lead to environmental benefits by allowing recycling or incineration through commercial treatment and disposal routes.” SEPA is asking for written responses to the application by 3 October.