Could Plymouth become the Sellafield of the South West?

GOOD news stories about dogs and cats (Times, January 5) are always heartening. However, I have struggled to find any references, let alone a leader, on a specific major issue which will impact upon our area, namely the proposal to use Devonport as a site not just for the storage of nuclear submarines but to dismantle them there.

In the USA, such reactor components are stored whole in the desert, well away from areas of population and are not broken up with the consequential additional hazards.

There are health risks, potential accidents and the possibility of further radioactive spillages into the Tamar such as that which occurred last June. All this for no new jobs and all in the centre of a tourist area. Would Plymouth end up becoming the Sellafield of the South West?

The Ministry of Defence has carried out a public consultation at venues in Plymouth, Torpoint and St Mellion but with so little advertising that I suspect that few readers will have heard about it. 

Despite the pretence of consultation and official efforts to force this on our area, there is still time to find out and respond before their deadline for comment which expires on February 17.

The link to their website for further details and to access the feedback form is: http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/ConsultationsandCommunications/PublicConsultations/ConsultationOnTheSubmarineDismantlingProject.htm">http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/ConsultationsandCommunications/PublicConsultations/ConsultationOnTheSubmarineDismantlingProject.htm

What happens in Plymouth can affect us all. We must demand that the MOD seeks alternative options and thinks again.

Mike Dennis

Milton Crescent

Tavistock