The origin of Britain's civil nuclear programme is closely linked with nuclear weapons. The first reactor - the "Windscale Piles" at Sellafield, began producing plutonium for nuclear weapons 1950. Britain's first commercial reactor - Calder Hall at Sellafield - was a dual-purpose reactor, with the main purpose being the production of plutionum for Britain's nuclear weapons. The same applies to the second commercial reactor at Chapelcross.
Later reactors were primarily built for the production of electricity, and in April 1995 the UK Government announced that all production of plutonium for weapons purposes had ceased.
At its peak in 1997, about 26% of Britain's electricity was generated by nuclear power. This has now gone down to less than 20%, and only 16% in 2009.
At present, the government wants to build new nuclear power stations at eight sites - all of which are existing nuclear sites. However, opposition to nuclear power is again growing. This website provides information for the growing anti nuclear power movement in Britain, with a special focus on nonviolent direct action against nuclear power.
Recent posts
16 Nov 2013 - 18:15
AMBLESIDE DEMO - SUNDAY 17th NOVEMBER 2013
Radiation Free Lakeland
http://mariannewildart.wordpress.com/2013/11/15/ambleside-on-sunday-demo/
Radiation Free Lakeland will be at Ambleside centre on Sunday afternoon
from 12.30 demonstrating against the government’s push to bury hot
radioactive waste under Cumbria’s leaky geology.
We will be asking people to sign a letter to Ed Davey, Secretary of State
23 Oct 2013 - 17:20
From South West Against Nuclear:
http://southwestagainstnuclear.wordpress.com/2013/10/22/no-more-edf-bullst (Posted 22 October 2013)
EDF “nuclear bulls**t” protest
People protesting about public subsidies for a new Hinkley Point nuclear power station today dumped a pile of animal manure at an EDF shop in Bridgwater in Somerset. A banner was hung above the shop which read “No More Bullsxxt – EDF take our £££ and dump waste on us!”
22 Oct 2013 - 21:09
On 21st October, EDF issued a press release titled: “Agreement reached on
commercial terms for the planned Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.”
My aim in this article is to examine exactly what has been “agreed” and its
implications for the likelihood of Hinkley C being built and if so, when.
In the first paragraph of the press release, the claim in its given title above is qualified, when we read that “EDF Group and the UK Government have reached in principle an agreement on the key commercial terms for an investment contract of the planned Hinkley Point C…”
26 Sep 2013 - 22:00
Today Kick Nuclear leafleted a pro nuclear meeting at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
This is the message which they gave: ----
Why nuclear is finished.
We are here today at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers to remind them of
their own motto: 'Improving the World Through Engineering'. Which should not involve giving succour, support or a platform to an industry that has averaged a meltdown every 12 years,
and is currently pouring uncontrolled quantities of
24 Sep 2013 - 17:46
On thursday Septenmber 26th Kick Nuclear activists will be
leafleting outside of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
This will be while Professor Andrew Sherry from the Dalton
Nuclear Institute gives the annual Pressure Systems Group
lecture entitled:
‘ Nuclear energy within a low carbon world, the manufacturing
and operational challenges for existing reactor designs as well as
research challenges for future reactor systems.’
The title of the Kick Nuclear leaflet will be
‘Why Nuclear is Finished.’
The picket will be held from 17.30. to 18.30. at the
12 Sep 2013 - 06:48
Why nuclear is finished.
We are here today to correct the apparent misapprehensions of the delegates to the World Nuclear Association annual shindig.
First off, a quote from your own, World Nuclear Association, website.
'The cost of electricity generation from many renewables tends to be higher than other forms of generation.'
9 Sep 2013 - 12:47
The 38th Annual Symposium of the World Nuclear Association
will be taking place at Central Hall Westminster, during
September 11th - 13th.
Activists from Kick Nuclear will be leafleting the delagates as
they enter the building on the morning of the September 12th
from 08.00. to 09.30.
5 Sep 2013 - 09:38
In the last few weeks, the mainstream media has started to catch up with what a shambles Fukushima has become. In July '13, those following the numbers closely were getting shocked. 3Rd July – 4,300,000 Bq/l six metres from the sea. 5Th July – 900,000,000 Bq/l in the test hole next to it. Then came a vital admission; the water in the test bore holes was rising and falling with the tide, and contained lots of salt. Oh dear; its directly connected with the sea. Tepco must have known that for months, yet didn't say.
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