Nuclear reactor set to re-start

Oldbury Power Station is set to be decommissioned in 2008

Oldbury nuclear power station has been given permission to re-start one of its reactors, despite being scheduled to close.

Consultation over the decommissioning process began just a few months ago.

Now, government regulator, the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII), has agreed to reactor two re-starting.

Site director Joe Lamonby said the case for re-starting the reactor was based on a considerable amount of work, and safety remained the top priority.

"[The work involved] extensive camera inspection of the graphite core, testing of graphite samples and a comprehensive analysis of all the data.

"Safety is always our number one priority and the NII would not have allowed us to re-start unless they were totally satisfied with our robust safety case.

"The time we have taken over this investigation is testament to the comprehensive case that we have prepared, and thorough analysis of the integrity of the core's strength has demonstrated the reactor is safe."

Earlier this year, more than 1,000 residents near Oldbury who were questioned in a public consultation said they wanted the site left to nature when it is closed down.