Democracy Nuked in Cumbria (again)

Icon_article Published: April 14, 2011 19:06 by marianne |

Tagged as: allerdale cumbria democracy disposal environmentalism free_spaces geological radioactive repression social_struggles waste
Neighbourhoods: cumbria london northwest world

Allerdale Democratic Services have quashed Councillor Joe Sandwith's motion to withdraw the borough council's "expression of interest" in geological disposal of high level nuclear wastes.

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The motion says:

"In the light of the Japanese Fukushima Nuclear Plant's ongoing catastrophe, I again call on the council to withdraw Allerdales expression of interest in the long- term underground storage of highly toxic radioactive waste. As clearly stated by Nirex the geology in this area is totally unsuitable for this proposed purpose. And my further fear, if we continue down this dangerous route, is that Allerdale with be destined to become the Nuclear Waste Dustbin for the whole world. The similarities I see between Fukushima and Allerdale is that Fukushima ignored the earthquake danger and we are ignoring the unsuitable geology danger."

Councillor Sandwith submitted this in good time for the 20th April council meeting and checked all was in order with Democratic Services. He has now been told the motion cannot go ahead. Democratic Services sent an email informing Councillor Sandwith that because the motion is similar to one put before council in November (would have been months earlier but that motion was also blocked repeatedly) the motion would need the signatures of 10 councillors. He was only told this past the deadline!

The Allerdale Executive are well aware that Councillor Joe Sandwith is not likely to stand again in the May election. Marianne Birkby from Radiation Free Lakeland has said "the move to block Councillor Sandwith's proposal that Allerdale should withdraw has the stench of something rotten."