The Copeland GDF Working Group (the Working Group) has today provided more information on its membership and a swathe of background information to assist those in the community who want to know more and take part in the conversation about radioactive waste disposal.

We learn that the Working Group comprises:

Mark Cullinan - independent Chair
Nick Gardham - independent facilitator
Community Engagement team - Gillian Johnstone and Clare Dobson
Four Interested Parties
- Copeland Borough Council
- Irton Hall Ltd
- Genr8 North Ltd
- Local resident David Faulkner
Radioactive Waste Management (RWM)

The Working Group website also has published the four Initial Evaluation Reports prepared for the four Interested Parties providing initial views from RWM on the potential for siting a GDF within the postulated areas of interest. In each case these evaluations are based on readily available information pertinent to the six siting factors identified previously by RWM and described in an earlier posting on this site. Geological settings both on land and off-shore have been addressed and in each case the Lake District National Park has been excluded from consideration.

The reports do not confirm that any of the areas of interest are suitable to host a GDF, but do attempt to present the initial understanding of whether any holds the potential to host a GDF, together with early identification of known constraints and uncertainties. The reports have been sufficiently encouraging to enable the Working Group to be established and to take the lead in progressing this initiative within the Copeland community.