Watchdog's warning over nuclear waste rail crash

The nuclear watchdog has issued an improvement notice after two railway wagons carrying nuclear waste crashed.

It happened on the Sellafield site, in Cumbria, which manages more radioactive waste in one place than any other nuclear facility in the world.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) said although no-one was injured and there were no radiation risks during the incident, which happened in November, it could have had "serious consequences".

A Sellafield spokesman said: "An internal investigation was initiated to understand the root cause and to prevent this from happening again in future."

The ONR said one of the wagons on the site's railway had not been properly secured and it rolled about 200ft (60m), hitting a stationary wagon.

They added the wagons were left with minor damage and the nuclear containers were unaffected "due to their robust construction", however health and safety improvements were needed to prevent future incidents.

Ian Bramwell, ONR's head of regulation for Sellafield, said: "This will include improving how Sellafield plan, organise, monitor and review the measures in place to protect personnel directly and indirectly involved in rail activities on the site."

The ONR will reinspect the site in the coming months and Sellafield has until 13 June to comply with the notice.

A Sellafield spokesman said it was working with the ONR to review its processes.

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