A delegation of Cumbrian politicians met with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to seek help overcoming roadblocks getting in the way of delivering new nuclear in West Cumbria.
The delegation, led by Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister, included MPs Markus Campbell-Savours MP, Michelle Scrogham MP, Julie Minns MP and Cumberland council leader Mark Fryer.
The Cumbrian politicians met with the Secretary of State as issues over NDA demands on the land at Moorside, which is designated for new nuclear, come to a head.
The NDA want to use the land for off site construction facilities for potential future building projects on the Sellafield site, despite its designation as a site for new nuclear development. Unless the issues with land use and future projects are resolved, Moorside is unlikely to be chosen as a location for new Small Modular Reactors in the process being run by Great British Nuclear.
Speaking after the meeting, Josh said:
“We welcome the Secretary of State’s involvement in this issue. Tough questions are finally being asked and ministers are getting into the detail, which is really welcome after 14 years of drift. It is a shame Cumbria’s former Conservative MPs didn’t raise the alarm and resolve these problems earlier in the process.
“This is the latest in a series of conversations with ministers as we fight for Cumbria’s nuclear future and we look forward to more discussions in the months ahead.”
Josh MacAlister MP 