Publication Laka-library:
Cloud over London (1989)
| Author | London Nuclear Information Unit |
| Date | February 1989 |
| Classification | 2.05.0.00/15 (UNITED KINGDOM - GENERAL) |
| Front | 
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From the publication:
INTRODUCTION Accidents happen in every area of human activity. The Zeebrugge ferry disaster, the Kings Cross fire, the Clapham Junction railway crash - the list goes on. If we can be sure of one thing, it is that they will continue to occur. Attempts must be made to assess the likelihood of accidents, and their possible consequences; to draw up effective emergency plans, and to make adequate preparations for disaster relief. The nuclear industry presents perhaps the greatest potential for disaster arising from accidents in peacetime. The consequences of contamination from the Chernobyl nuclear accident are still with us, over two thousand miles away and nearly three years later. Evidence presented to the public inquiry into the proposed construction of a pressurized water nuclear reactor at Sizewell, in Suffolk, stated that an accident could: " ... result in 24,000 Londoners contracting fatal cancers and 3,500,000 people being evacuated from the Capital. Access to 240 square miles of London could be restricted for up to 17 years". How realistic is this possibility ? How could an emergency response be carried out ? Are British emergency arrangements adequate ? What sort of preparations are carried out in other countries? This pamphlet looks at these and other questions about nuclear safety. It includes a summary of the main findings of recent research in this area commissioned by a group of British local authorities who are very concerned about the public safety aspects of the nuclear industry. This group includes those twelve Boroughs that comprise the London Boroughs Nuclear Policy Committee. The nuclear industry tells us that we need to adopt a "balanced" approach to nuclear safety. This is true for all potentially hazardous activities. A balance must be found between the advantages of carrying out the activity, and the possible damage, in human, environmental, and financial terms. This pamphlet forms a contribution to the debate about the future of Britain's nuclear programme. It looks at the issues from the perspective of a key consideration; that of public safety.
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