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Radioactive leak at British nuclear power station

08/01/2007 - 16:14:32

British health and safety inspectors are investigating an incident at a recently closed nuclear power station in Suffolk which led to the escape of 40,000 gallons of radioactive water, it has been revealed.

The incident happened at the Sizewell A station, one of the oldest in the world, which closed eight days ago.

Its reactors, which had been producing electricity for 40 years, are now being decommissioned.

A Sizewell spokesman said there had been a "breakage" in a pipe, which led to the water escape.

"The escape was stopped rapidly," said the spokesman.

The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate confirmed it was investigating the incident, adding that no water had left the site and there had been no contact with members of the public or workers.

A spokesman said the water contained traces of a radioactive substance.

Gary Smith, national officer of the GMB union, said: "The incident highlights decades of chronic under-investment in our nuclear industry.

"It also comes at a time when the Government is proposing to cut funding to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).

"The Government gave a commitment that it would clean up the nuclear legacy, and proposals to cut NDA funding will ultimately impact on investment in training and maintenance, which can only further exacerbate problems that we have as a result of neglect.

"Any cuts in the NDA budgets will severely undermine public confidence in the future of the industry."

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