British Energy has announced this week that it is to shut the nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point, near Burnham-On-Sea, later this year for further inspections.

Both reactors will be checked at some point this year which means they will have to be shut down unless already stopped for other work.

It comes after Hinkley Point was shut down for seven months for boiler repairs during 2006/7. It has been running at 60-70 percent of its capacity since being re-opened last Spring.

Campaign group Stop Hinkley claimed on Tuesday (February 5th) that the “fragility of sensitively-placed boilers” at Hinkley B may be behind the latest work.

The group claims boilers are housed inside the reactor pressure vessel alongside the nuclear reactors.

Jim Duffy, group spokesman, said: “It’s high time that Hinkley undertook inspections of its boilers. Cracked boilers plus cracked reactor core equals unthinkable risk. It would be better to shut it now.”

RELATED LINKS:

Life of Hinkley Point power station extended by five years

Campaigners call for extra safety checks at nuclear site

Study concludes Hinkley Point is safe from global warming

Parents group calls for permanent closure of Hinkley Point

Hinkley Point ‘may never re-open’ say campaigners

Cracks in boiler pipes force temporary closure of Hinkley Point

Earlier check-up for Hinkley Point power station

Hinkley gas release ‘posed no risk’ to people in Burnham

Hinkley Point ‘smoke’ sighting was a false alarm

New document reveals hidden fears about Hinkley Point power station

Hinkley Point gets all-clear after Environment Agency radiation checks

 
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