Evacuation fear over nuclear plan

Guernsey's Home Minister says France has a good safety record

A Jersey politician has raised concerns about the possibility of a new nuclear plant being built on the French coast.

Health Minister Senator Stuart Syvret said he was worried about how quickly the Channel Islands could be evacuated if there was an accident.

The French government is considering electricity company EDF's plans for a new reactor at Flamanville.

Earlier this week Guernsey's Home Minister said there was nothing to fear from the French plans.

Channel Island residents have expressed concerns about safety and nuclear waste from the French site, but Mike Torode said the country had a reassuring nuclear safety record.

However Senator Syvret said he favoured energy efficiencies and renewables as alternatives to nuclear power.

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

If approved, construction could begin next year, with completion of the reactor by 2015.

A protest rally against the proposed plant is being held in Cherbourg on Saturday.

Flamanville is about 30 miles (48km) from the Channel Islands.