The repository, part of Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), enables the safe management of low level waste (LLW) materials needing disposal in engineered vaults.
Disposal of low-level radioactive waste began in 1959, with waste being tipped into lined trenches at the Repository site near Drigg, Cumbria. Disposal techniques evolved during the late 1980s and early 1990s through the construction of highly engineered concrete vaults. This resulted in a modern approach to the treatment and safe disposal of low-level nuclear waste in metal containers, which were placed in engineered vaults at the Repository site.
The initial work of the capping operations at the trenches and vaults is now progressing and will take five years.
This first phase, the Southern Trench Cap Interim Membrane (STIM) project, will see a replacement membrane put in place over some of the trenches to continue to protect the waste and will remain in place for up to 100 years. Early works are underway and include installing drainage across the trenches to prepare the area for the membrane installation. The trenches and vault will be gradually covered by the final cap as work progresses.
Mike Pigott, director of sites and operations for NWS, said: “I am pleased we’re progressing work on this long-term project with work commencing on site for this phase, it is vitally important that NWS caps the existing vaults and trenches to provide long-term protection to the wastes and the environment for generations to come.
“We’re making good progress on the project with a cap design agreed, infrastructure in place to deliver this work, and permission to build the cap has been granted by the local authority. We will continue to work with our community to maintain our social licence to operate and are committed to being a considerate neighbour whilst delivering our important mission.”
NWS has been engaging with the local community with drop-in sessions and site tours to share more details about what residents will see and hear over the next six to twelve months of operations. Plans are in place to mitigate and minimise any associated noise, dust, traffic, ecological and visual impacts.
NWS is currently working with the supply chain to select the contractor for the next phase of the project, which is planned to be phased over four years and expected to commence late in 2024. The initiative involves the installation of an additional membrane under the interim trench cap.