Allerdale GDF Working Group announces series of public drop-ins

Allerdale GDF Working Group announces series of public drop-ins

The Allerdale GDF Working Group has announced a series of dates for community drop-ins due to take place across Allerdale throughout July and August.
The Working Group formed in January 2021 to start a conversation with the community about whether Allerdale is the right place to build a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) to permanently dispose of the UK’s higher-activity radioactive waste, and with the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions expected on 19 July, they have now been able to plan a series of face-to-face drop-in sessions to listen to the views of the community.
Geological disposal is one of the UK’s largest ever environmental protection projects, which would provide a safe and secure long-term solution for the disposal of higher activity radioactive waste and could create investment and jobs over many generations.
Over the past six months, the Working Group has engaged with the community largely through their digital channels and e-newsletter, but these drop-ins will now provide a safe space for people to have real life conversations about what a GDF could mean for Allerdale, and find out whatever information they need to take part in the discussion.
As well as the opportunity to ask questions and share opinions with Working Group members, there will also be a range of learning resources to help people of all ages explore the science behind a GDF and see what the facility could look like and how it might work.
The Working Group, who are neither for nor against building a GDF in Allerdale, is independently Chaired by Jocelyn Manners-Armstrong, and members include local representatives from Allerdale Borough Council, Radioactive Waste Management Ltd (RWM), Cumbria Association of Local Councils (CALC), and Genr8North Ltd – the Interested Party that came forward and asked for Allerdale to be considered as a potential location.
Eva Chua, the Group’s Community Engagement Manager said: “Launching the Working Group in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic has been challenging, but I’m really pleased we can now get out into the community to have as many conversations as possible and understand what local people want for their future. Their views are important to us. We are here to listen and to provide information to encourage the community of Allerdale to take part in the discussion about GDF and what it could mean for the community. We want to invite everyone to come along to a drop-in near them and tell us what they think”.
The first of 12 community drop-ins is due to take place at Thursby Village Hall on Thursday 22nd July and all sessions will be subject to any Covid-19 restrictions which may be in place at the time.
Further information, including the full programme of drop-in sessions, can be found on the website: https://allerdale.workinginpartnership.org.uk/.

• Thursday 22 July, 10:30am–6:00pm, Thursby Village Hall, CA5 6PQ
• Friday 23 July, 10:00am–6:00pm, Wigton Market Hall, CA7 9AA
• Saturday 24 July, 10:30am–6:00pm, Bothel Village Hall, CA7 2HL
• Thursday 5 August, 10:30am–6:00pm, Crosscanonby Community Centre, CA15 6SQ
• Friday 6 August, 10:30am–6:00pm, Gilcrux Village Hall, CA7 2QD
• Saturday 7 August, 10:00am–5:30pm, The Wave, Maryport, CA15 8AD
• Thursday 12 August, 10:30am–6:00pm, Blindcrake Village Hall, CA13 0QH
• Friday 13 August, 10:30am–6:00pm, Broughton Village Hall, CA13 0NE
• Saturday 14 August, 10:00am–4:30pm, United Reformed Church, Cockermouth, CA13 9LU
• Thursday 19 August, 10:00am–4:00pm, Seaton Village Hall, CA14 1PL
• Friday 20 August, 10:00am–6:00pm, Northside Community Centre, CA14 1AX
• Saturday 21 August, 10:30am–5.00pm, Carnegie Theatre & Arts Centre, CA14 2BD

Anyone who is not able to attend a drop-in but would like to ask questions or share views is encouraged to contact the Group through its website where they can also access a range of digital resources, including an interactive Virtual Exhibition.