By Jenny Barwise

Last updated at 11:45, Monday, 03 September 2012

THE construction of an 11-mile security fence around Sellafield should be complete in October.

The fence, costing £5m, is part of extra security measures at the nuclear plant. This has seen more armed police, provided by the Civil Nuclear Authority, recruited to protect the site against potential terrorism and a new guard force has been brought in to check vehicles going in and out.

The government also revealed this month how it wants to see all cars banned from the site.

In a report to Copeland Council’s full council meeting, councillor Elaine Woodburn states that under new arrangements, 100 per cent vehicle searching will be required under the government’s proposals, which would be completed by summer 2014.

“Under this policy no passenger vehicles will be permitted to enter the site and so to accommodate this, plans to improve public transport infrastructure around the site are taking shape, to include additional bus and rail provision and off-site car parking,” she said.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change, which is pushing for the change, will possibly want delivery vehicles banned from entering and leaving the site.

The cost of the off-site parks – outside Main Gate and Calder Gate on the Seascale side of the site – is put at millions of pounds, but planning permission would be needed.

An estimated 5,000 vehicles enter and leave Sellafield every day.

A Sellafield spokesman said that the company keeps itssecurity arrangements under continuous review to ensure that they are effective.

“As part of the physical enhancements we are installing an additional fence, essentially creating a double fence around the perimeter of the site,” he added.

A report on the security measures will be given to Copeland’s full council meeting on Thursday.

JBarwise@cngroup.co.uk

First published at 11:27, Monday, 03 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk