Oct 26 - Daily Mail; London (UK)

Towns and cities are to be offered millions of pounds in 'inducements' if they agree to house massive underground bunkers for nuclear waste.

The Government confirmed yesterday that it intends to dispose of Britain's deadly legacy by burying waste at least 1,500ft below ground.

It is likely to be stored in one vast bunker five times the size of the Albert Hall that will take a century to construct and fill, but it is possible that more than one could be needed.

Local councils will be asked to volunteer to have a nuclear dump in their area, and those chosen will benefit from multimillion- pound investments such as money for roads, hospitals, parks and libraries.

Taxpayers face a bill of more than Pounds 75billion to build the new facility and overhaul the existing storage sites so they remain secure in the meantime.

Government advisers have warned that disposal sites could be vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

Yesterday, Tory security spokesman Patrick Mercer raised concerns about the possibility of attacks during the time when waste is being moved to the new bunker.

'We need an assurance from the Government that they have properly thought through the security implications,' he said.

Only around eight per cent of the existing radioactive material has been securely packaged. The rest is in temporary surface storage facilities at 37 sites across Britain.

Experts estimate at least Pounds 10billion will needed to build an underground bunker. It is most likely to be in areas already involved with the nuclear industry, such as West Cumbria and the Scottish Highlands.

Environment Secretary David Miliband told MPs a disposal site would only be built 'in a geologically suitable area' and take account of 'social considerations'.

'We have made it clear that we are not seeking to impose radioactive waste on any community,' Mr Miliband said.

Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Chris Huhne said: 'Overall deep burial is the least bad option for the legacy of 50 years of nuclear waste, but it is also a real warning about the dangers and costs of a new generation of nuclear power.

When you are in a hole, stop digging.

'Every citizen is already paying over Pounds 1,500 to clean up the waste of the current generation of nuclear power stations.'

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