The Nuclear Trains Action Group (NTAG) was set up as a working group of London Region CND in the late 1980s.

Its purpose is to campaign against the “nuclear trains” that pass through London.  These are trains that carry radioactive “spent” nuclear fuel rods from nuclear power stations in the south-east up to Sellafield in Cumbria for re-processing, separating out the highly-radioactive plutonium it contains.  The main use of this is in nuclear weapons and there is a world glut of this extremely dangerous substance, so there is a serious problem about where to store it safely.  British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. (BNFL) who run Sellafield, nuclear trains and many of the nuclear power stations have tried and failed to develop a market for “MOX fuel” in which the waste plutonium is recombined with uranium.

The biggest success of this campaign to date were to get the Greater London Authority to hold an enquiry into the safety of nuclear trains through London, which made recommendations, including one that the possibility of re-routing the trains so they avoid London be investigated.  The GLA subsequently declared itself a nuclear-free zone, though it has no authority over nuclear train movements.  The campaign also, working with a local community group, helped mobilise strong local opposition stop plans by BNFL to move its nuclear train marshalling from Stonebridge Park to Cricklewood.  However it has failed so far to mobilise a similar strength of opposition to the marshalling at Stonebridge Park, but not through want of trying.

The group has a country-wide network of groups and activists throughout the country and has organised “national gatherings” in various cities and a well-supported national “days of action” against the trains.

At national gatherings we have agreed the following “8 demands”

1)       Spent nuclear fuel shipments should be routed, as far as possible, to avoid centres of population, viaducts over 9 metres high, tunnels and level crossings.

2)       Magnox power stations should all be shut immediately.

3)       All remaining nuclear power stations should be shut down as soon as alternative sources of power can be developed.

4)       No further nuclear power stations should be built.

5)       Any existing governmental financial support to the nuclear industry, beyond that required to shut it down safely, should cease.  Instead such support should be given to developing renewable sources of energy.

6)       Dry storage on site of AGR and PWR spent fuel should be investigated thoroughly.

7)       Plans for emergencies involving the shipments should be made publicly available and emergency planning depts. Should be told in advance of times of nuclear trains through their area.  Such plans should be subjected to actuality tests and the results published.

8)        Emergency Services personnel should be adequately trained to deal with nuclear accidents involving the trains.       

The group meets monthly, usually on first Monday of each month, at 7pm, at the CND Office, 162 Holloway Road, London N7 8DQ to plan its campaigning.  Everybody interested in the campaign is welcome to come along.  It also holds demonstrations at stations where nuclear trains go through. 

Let us know if you want to join our mailing list, by completing the below slip and returning it to us.  We send out a monthly newsletter and a copy of the latest edition is enclosed.  There’s no charge, though donations (made out to “NTAG”) are very welcome!

For further information about the group, see our web-site, www.nonucleartrains.org  or e-mail david.lrcnd@cnduk.org