NIS holds a range of information about British nuclear-powered and armed submarines; nuclear safety of Z & X Berths and the MoD’s proposals for the storage of nuclear sections of decommissioned submarines; the Interim Storage of Laid Up Submarines (ISOLUS). You can also read position papers on ISOLUS from the Nuclear Submarine Forum (NsubF) and on "Z" berths from the Solent Coalition Against Nuclear Ships here(SCANS), plus further background information. http://www.lancs.ac.uk/users/csec /isolus2/isolus-homepage.htm and http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/ pages/content.php3?page=8882

Flood map for AWE Burghfield. Shaded areas represent areas at significant risk of flooding, where the chance of flooding each year is greater than 1.3% (1 in 75).

events notice

NEW NIS Submission to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY CONSULTATION

Global Security: Non-Proliferation

NIS argues that the risks posed by British nuclear weapons production and road transport of warheads threaten each individual citizen and our way of life. Additionally, the risk of a criticality event at the substandard warhead assembly/disassembly facilities at AWE Burghfield is also unacceptable and unjustifiable.

Read the NIS submission to the FCO.

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Southampton City Council Forced To Accept Nuclear Submarine In The

2006-07-30 23:00

Solent Coalition Against Nuclear Ships

NIS PRESS RELEASE 31 JULY 2006

SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL FORCED TO ACCEPT NUCLEAR SUBMARINE IN THE DOCKS AFTER A SIX YEAR BATTLE WITH NAVY

The nuclear powered submarine, HMS Tireless entered Southampton Docks this morning despite repeated requests to the Royal Navy by Southampton City Council for it not to do so. The boat is moored at the so-called “Z Berth” indicating that it poses a nuclear risk. All emergency services and the City Council are on standby in case there is a problem with this aging submarine’s reactor causing a nuclear release.

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After an exercise in February this year, Police, Ambulance and Fire Services reported the need for better communication systems and better training to enable them to try to cope with a nuclear accident. Even the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate admitted there was a problem distinguishing between people who should be evacuated and those who should take shelter. The distribution of Potassium Iodate Tablets (PITS) proved to be another failure. Naval ratings rehearsed delivering PITS to every household and business 2 Km downwind of the submarine, but missed out some areas altogether.

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“The Exercise was a shambles. Over 60 problems were identified, some of them serious, yet the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate claimed that the safety plan was “fit for purpose “ without waiting for the Council’s Exercise report. This pre-emptive use of the docks by a nuclear powered submarine is a snub to the Council and the people of Southampton.
There is no need to put this incredibly busy commercial dock and the public at this risk, when naval bases at Portsmouth and Plymouth are near at hand for nuclear submarines.
David Hoadley, Chair of Solent Coalition Against Nuclear Ships

Southampton City Council is not due to approve the safety plan, known as Sotonsafe
until 18^th September, after the Exercise report is examined by its Cabinet
Committee on 4^th September.
Contact: Di McDonald 02380 554434 / 07880 557035