A major milestone has been reached at the Low-Level Waste Repository (LLWR) site in West Cumbria, as the first deliveries of aggregate materials for the Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) project were completed earlier this month.

The deliveries are part of the Southern Trench Interim Membrane (STIM) project, a crucial phase in the ongoing capping operations at the site.

The STIM project involves placing a new protective membrane over legacy disposal trenches, which will remain in place for up to 100 years. This new layer aims to provide permanent protection for both the public and the environment, as it will secure the site while radioactive materials within the trenches decay.

In collaboration with specialist transport and logistics provider Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS), the first rail deliveries of 280,000 tonnes of aggregate arrived at the site in early February. The deliveries will continue over the next three years, with eight rail deliveries expected each week between February and March 2025.

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This significant achievement is a key step in the long-term capping operations, which will eventually lead to the final closure of the repository, currently projected for 2135.

The new interim membrane will replace an existing layer on part of the legacy disposal trenches, ensuring that the site remains securely capped for many decades to come. The successful arrival of the first batch of aggregate materials marks an important moment in the ongoing efforts to manage and safeguard nuclear waste in the region.

Alastair Lewis, GRAHAM Contracts Director, said: "It's fantastic to see the start of rail deliveries to site, marking the beginning of an extensive program of works. This is a significant milestone for the project, and I'm proud of the hard work and dedication of our team and key stakeholders in making this happen. We have been managing and carrying out aggregate train deliveries since 2018, and this experience has been invaluable in ensuring a smooth and efficient transition to this new phase of the project. Our collaborative approach involving NTS, NWS, and our supply chain to coordinate the logistics has been key to achieving this important milestone for the Repository Capping Operations Programme."