Peace Group says no to nuclear power

Date published: 26/11/2007

Rochdale and Littleborough Peace Group made a renewed contribution to the local debate on energy resources reminding Rochdale shoppers of the lethal dangers inherent in nuclear power.

Members of the Peace group distributed leaflets giving "myths’ and "truths’ about nuclear power. They also urged people to sign a petition condemning the Brown government’s plans to build more nuclear power plants in the UK. They reminded passers-by that "nuclear power is dangerous and highly vulnerable to accidents and terrorism; that nuclear power creates deadly waste which cannot be disposed of safely; that it produces CO2 and contributes to global warming".  

Speaking on behalf of the Peace Group, Philip Gilligan said: "It is 50 years since the devastating fire at Windscale (Sellafield), when the uranium rods overheated in the radioactive pile and a large-scale disaster was avoided only by good luck. It is 21 years since the catrostrophic accident at Chernobyl, the effects of which will be poisoning our planet for many generations to come. However, nuclear power stations are little safer than they were in 1957. As recently as a month ago, in October 2007, British Energy admitted that it had discovered a corroded steel wire in the concrete casing of one of two nuclear reactors in the Hartlepool power station and had closed, not only these reactors but the similar one in Heysham, less 42 miles from the centre of Rochdale.

"We must continue to say "no’ to nuclear power. It pollutes our planet and damages our health, and it will continue to damage the health of our children, our grandchildren and their grandchildren."