Vulcan site in nuclear accident response exercise

A NUCLEAR accident response exercise is set to take place tomorrow as part of the Ministry of Defence contingency planning arrangements.

The Vulcan Naval Nuclear Reactor Test Establishment will hold the exercise, named LONESTAR 2012, in accordance with Radiation Regulations 2001 which require the MoD to develop plans for responding in the unlikely event of an accident involving the reactor.

Minimal exercise play will take place at Vulcan and Dounreay when the alarm will sound at 10am.

The MoD insists that nuclear safety and security are given the highest priority.

In over 40 years of continuous operation there has never been an accident involving a Royal Navy reactor resulting in any hazard to the public.

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