The petition calls on the Assembly to make representations to the Government to end the routing of nuclear waste trains through densely populated areas, such as London. The petition will be presented at the London Assembly Meeting on Wednesday 15 October.
“For many years, trains carrying highly radioactive nuclear waste have been travelling through London. London residents are saying they don’t want this nuclear menace close to their homes and schools. It’s time to put an end to this outdated and dangerous practice, particularly with the current terrorist threat,” said Darren.
Darren Johnson has long been an outspoken campaigner against nuclear waste trains. In 2001 the Green Party Group in the London Assembly was successful in getting an inquiry set up, chaired by Darren Johnson. The inquiry highlighted a number of major concerns including the lack of proper emergency training to deal with an incident, inadequate safety tests and the threat from terrorist attacks.
ENDS
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. The full text of the petition is as follows: "Trains carrying radioactive nuclear fuel rods regularly travel through London. These are the most dangerous cargoes carried on British railways. They continually give off radiation. Any increase increases the risk of radiation-linked cancers such as leukaemia. A serious accident or terrorist attack could result in the release of the deadly high-level radiation that they contain. We call on the London Assembly to make representations to the British government to end the routing of these trains through densely populated areas such as London."
2. The 7290 signatures have been collected by the Nuclear Trains Action Group.
3. Trains carrying nuclear waste pass through the following boroughs: Brent, Barking & Dagenham, Bromley, Camden, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Havering, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark and Wandsworth.