Parliamentarians visit Sellafield
Two parliamentarians who are developing an understanding of priority sectors for the UK economy, visited Sellafield to find out how we are tackling the nationally important clean-up work at our site, while enhancing our work on skills, science and innovation.
Bill Esterson, MP for Sefton, who is shadow Minister for Business and International Trade and Faisal Rashid, MP for Warrington South who is a member of the Select Committee for International Trade are studying the energy sector as part of an Industry and Parliament Trust fellowship.
Sellafield site was chosen as part of this fellowship as we are the largest nuclear industrial facility in Britain, are making massive strides in our environmental restoration of the site and changing the way we work to create much wider benefits for our communities.
Bill said: “I’ve always been aware of Sellafield through the media, but wasn’t aware of the challenges and progress being made in demolishing the 1,000-plus buildings on this remote West Cumbrian site.
“I was keen to explore what the future holds for the company and was delighted to hear that there is a transformation programme in place using investment and skills to build opportunities working alongside stakeholders including the supply chain.”
The visit involved a tour of the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant, that is due to complete its reprocessing operations in November this year, and one of the site’s major legacy facilities - the Pile Fuel Storage Pond- that is leading the way in hazard and risk reduction.
Faisal said: “I have a strong interest in UK companies promoting their products and services, and I was delighted to witness how Sellafield is tackling ground-breaking decommissioning activities that can be exported overseas.”
Roger Cowton, Sellafield Ltd’s head of External Affairs added: “It’s great that both Bill and Faisal took the time to visit and see how we are cleaning up such an historic site alongside our partners in the supply chain.
“They found out how we are delivering value for money for the UK taxpayer and our communities in Cumbria and Warrington, and how we are developing our supply chain to diversify into other sectors and markets.”
