Radioactive waste HAS leaked after lorry came off the road on A697

Source : http://sortirdunucleaire.org/Radioactive-waste-HAS-leaked-after-lorry-came-off
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23 janvier 2014
Radioactive waste HAS leaked after lorry
came off the road on A697
Note : L'article n'étant pas encore disponible en français le voici en anglais.
Des spécialistes ont confirmé que des déchets radioactifs se sont "légèrement" répandus sur l'A 697
en UK suite à un accident de la route survenu le le 21 janvier 2014 à environ 15 h 30.
Voir la situation géographique de l'A697 en fin de mail (*)
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Source : Chronicle Live via Angelo M.
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/a697-northumberland-closed-after-lorry-653560
5
Radioactive waste HAS leaked after lorry came off the
road on A697
By Sarah Scott
22 Jan 2014 17:20
Specialists have now confirmed that the material contained in a small number of drums has leaked
slightly
The scene after a lorry carrying toxic waste crashed on the A697
Specialists have now confirmed that radioactive waste in an overturned lorry has leaked slightly onto
the A697.
Emergency services were called at around 3.30pm yesterday when the lorry carrying the potentially
dangerous substance left the road beside High Learchild Farm, north of Thrunton in Northumberland.
View gallery
Lorry crash on the A697
View gallery
Concerns over the load the lorry was carrying caused the road to be closed in both directions between
its junctions at Rothbury and the Bridge of Aln pub.
Following a further assessment of the vehicle and the drums that were being transported, it has now
been confirmed by specialists that a small number of cannisters have leaked slightly.
The lorry was carrying a potentially hazardous substance, however this poses a very low risk to the
surrounding area.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said it was believed that 67 drums of waste material
were on the lorry. This material was classed as the lowest level of radioactivity, it is naturally
occurring.
The road still remains closed to allow for the vehicle to be removed and diversions are in place.
Due to the nature of the substance, it was necessary for each canister from the vehicle to be moved
individually.
They have all now been removed and the lorry has been uplifted.
Superintendent Gillian Mitchell, said : "Due to the nature of the material on the lorry it was necessary
for each canister to be removed individually, this has now been done. We're continuing to work with
other agencies to make sure the road is open as soon as possible and are grateful to motorists and
the local community for their co-operation and understanding of this."
Police have now re-opened the A697 in both directions.
(*)