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Published:
March
10, 2012
Crowds
of protesters converge on Hinkley Point for Fukushima rally
 Large
crowds of protesters gathered at Hinkley Point nuclear power station,
near Burnham-On-Sea, on Saturday (March 10th) to mark the first
anniversary of the Fukushima disaster in Japan.
The
protesters walked around the three mile perimeter fence to call
for an end to the government's 'nuclear renaissance' in the wake
of the Japanese tsunami tragedy in which over 20,000 people died.
Organisers
from Stop New Nuclear claimed "over 1,000 people" from
all over the UK converged at the main gates of Hinkley Power power
station although EDF disputed the figures and said up to 450 protesters
were in attendance.
Speaking
at the demonstration, Martyn Rowe, a verteran anti-nuclear campaigner,
said he had not seen such a large turnout since the mass protest
against the construction of the Torness nuclear power station
in 1979.
"It
is clear that the tide is turning against the government's push
for a 'nuclear renaissance'. The British public is waking up to
the fact that 'new nuclear' is dangerous, expensive and completely
unnecessary," he said.
 Environmentalist
Jonathon Porritt, also speaking at the rally, said he found it
"unbelievable" that nuclear energy was being put forward
as a solution to climate change and he called on the government
reconsider its energy strategy.
He
added: "It is clear we can do everything we need to do without
nuclear power. The whole thing is being fixed to suit the nuclear
industry. In Germany, they are working towards a nuclear-free
future that affordable and realistic. Why is it we don’t
think Germany is a really good model to follow?"
Gordon
Bell, spokesman for the station owner EDF, said Hinkley Point
B had conducted a "full and proper review" to ensure
EDF learnt from the lessons of Fukushima.
Mr
Bell said that while the independent Office of Nuclear Regulation
has declared that it is satisfied with the results of all the
stress tests on the site, EDF had looked for opportunities to
make its sites even safer. "We must ensure we are never complacent
and continue to strive towards improving safety at every opportunity,"
he said.
The
Hinkley Point site is earmarked for a new nuclear power station
comprising two reactors, as pictured in the photomontage above.
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