There are two nuclear power stations on the coast at Hinkley , West Somerset - Hinkley A, one of the early Magnox reactors - built in the 1960's - is now out of service. Work to remove fuel rods began eighteen monhs ago. Formal planning consent from the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate has been given to begin the enormous task of decommissioning the plant. In its heyday Hinkley A employed 2600 people and during its lifetime contributed enough electricity to keep the whole UK supplied for a year. But dismantling the station will take a century - and the buildings, visible for miles around, will remain on the skyliine throughout that time . Hinkley B is still very much in service, but with a reduced workforce - currently around 400 people work at the site. But the total number involved in maintaining and running all the facilities is almost ten times that number.There is some local disquiet about the risks of nuclear power and the length of time it will take to decommission the original reactor and deal with waste. There are also suggestions that a future new power plant might be sited at Hinkley. I will press for the fullest consultation if this becomes a real possibility. I will also want to see a generous injection of funding to ensure that road access, for example, can be improved.

Meanwhile Hinkley has an impressive record for safety and the Visitor Centre continues to attract thousands of tourists.  

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More detailed information can be obtained via British Energy: www.british-energy.co.uk and the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate: www.hse-databases.co.uk/press/2003/e03164.htm Details of Vistor Centre locations and opening times can be found at: www.ukattraction.com/west-country/hinkley-point-&8216a-visitor-centre.htm.

You might also find it useful to look at: http://www.nrpb.org/

Whatever you think about nuclear energy there is no doubt that Hinkley has contributed greatly to the local economy. Here's what I told local businesmen: www.quantockonline.co.uk/news/2002/hinkley_waste01.html

For an alternative view on Hinkley look at: www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2003/07/274737.html or:

http://www.foe.co.uk/

http://www.greenpeace.org/international_en/