This week our readers got talking about Allerdale potentially being the host to an underground disposal of nuclear waste.

Having a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) that would store higher level radioactive waste underground is hailed to be the safest and most secure method of disposal.

The Allerdale GDF Working Group recommended a Search Area for consideration in 2021 comprised of 13 electoral wards: Aspatria; Broughton St Bridgets; Dalton; Ellen & Gilcrux; Flimby; Harrington & Salterbeck; Maryport North; Maryport South; Moorclose & Moss Bay; Seaton & Northside; St John’s; St Michael’s and Stainburn & Clifton.

Prominent figures within the community weighed in on the discussion.

One of which was Workington MP Mark Jenkinson, who welcomed the proposal as it would allow for the release of £1 in community investment.

“The launch of the Community Partnership includes £1m of community investment funding a year. This will include funding to support local initiatives that provide economic development opportunities, enhance the natural and built environment, or improve community wellbeing,” he said.

However Allerdale Borough Councillor Ian Greaney said: “I just don’t feel the process has been done correctly. Something this important, it should be done right. I don’t think we should be able to take shortcuts in this process.”

Cllr Greaney’s concerns lie amongst the findings of a study in 2010 which concluded that much of the West Cumbrian coastline had unsuitable geology for the facility.

Here’s what our readers had to say.

A contributor from Silloth wrote: “We’ve already said ‘no’. Nothing has changed from last time, especially the geology, so it’s another ‘no’.”

Northern Sense commented with: “Cumbria’s geology is not just a given, it’s not even just a known given, it’s probably the best known geological given in the UK.”

Cumbrian Lad added: “It is a very strange process which allows one individual, Andy Ross of GenR8 North, to volunteer the part of Allerdale in which he doesn’t live to be the burial site for the UK’s nuclear waste. The 13 wards who have been volunteered against their will, have no say in the matter until 15-20 years of investigations have taken place.”