Deputy allays nuclear safety fear

A senior politician has said Guernsey has nothing to fear from plans for a third nuclear reactor in France.

French electricity company EDF plans to build a third reactor at the Flamanville power station which would be completed by 2015.

Environmental groups and members of the public expressed concerns about nuclear waste and safety at a public meeting in St Martin on Wednesday evening.

But Home Minister Mike Torode said the company's safety record was reassuring.

The Channel Islands are being included in the French Government's public debate on the proposals before a final decision is made in October.

'Tin hats'

Mike Torode said there should be some concerns, but no need for panic.

He said: "Yes, we must all have a little bit of a worry somewhere, but I don't think there is any need to panic, look for tin hats and dive for the bunkers really.

"The French have a very good record for nuclear power and I have every confidence that they will do a good job."

Environmentalists have expressed concerns about safety and the increased amount of nuclear waste the plant would produce.

Anne Sandwith, of Friends of the Earth Guernsey, said: "I think we have a duty in the Channel Islands as a near neighbour of France to express concerns both from a safety point of view, and of terrorism as well.

"There is also this problem of nuclear waste which will end up at La Hague, which is virtually on our doorstep."

Flamanville and France's nuclear reprocessing plant at La Hague are both less than 30 miles (48km) from Guernsey.

If approved, construction of the reactor could begin in 2007. It is hoped the new reactor would eventually replace the current reactors within 10 years.