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Sellafield towers are demolished Sellafield towers are demolished
(about 3 hours later)
The four cooling towers at Calder Hall in Cumbria, the world's first full-scale nuclear power station, have been demolished.The four cooling towers at Calder Hall in Cumbria, the world's first full-scale nuclear power station, have been demolished.
Hundreds of residents gathered to watch as the 88 metre-high towers on the Sellafield site were exploded in pairs at 0900 BST and 0904 BST.Hundreds of residents gathered to watch as the 88 metre-high towers on the Sellafield site were exploded in pairs at 0900 BST and 0904 BST.
A massive cloud of dust blew over the Irish Sea as they came down.A massive cloud of dust blew over the Irish Sea as they came down.
The towers, which had stood for 50 years, were regarded as a major part of Britain's industrial heritage.The towers, which had stood for 50 years, were regarded as a major part of Britain's industrial heritage.
Their dismantling, part of Calder Hall's decommissioning, comes over four years after electricity generation ceased.Their dismantling, part of Calder Hall's decommissioning, comes over four years after electricity generation ceased.
It is the first part of a plan to decommission the complex, comprising 62 buildings which was opened by the Queen on 17 October, 1956.It is the first part of a plan to decommission the complex, comprising 62 buildings which was opened by the Queen on 17 October, 1956.
The Calder Hall site produced electricity for 47 years
Andy Scargill, the site's decommissioning superintendent, said: "It is a historic day, but it is a day that is bringing together a lot of hard work, a lot of effort and a lot of technical challenges.Andy Scargill, the site's decommissioning superintendent, said: "It is a historic day, but it is a day that is bringing together a lot of hard work, a lot of effort and a lot of technical challenges.
"It looks like two minutes' worth of work today but it has taken three years to get to this point."It looks like two minutes' worth of work today but it has taken three years to get to this point.
"We have had to prove the method and safety of the site."We have had to prove the method and safety of the site.
"There were 150 stakeholders to discuss this with including local farmers, the regulators and the local community.""There were 150 stakeholders to discuss this with including local farmers, the regulators and the local community."
Plans to create a £128m hi-tech museum were scrapped earlier this week.Plans to create a £128m hi-tech museum were scrapped earlier this week.
Closed systemClosed system
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) said the proposal had been ruled out because of the costs involved, although a spokesman said creating it on the site "was possible".The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) said the proposal had been ruled out because of the costs involved, although a spokesman said creating it on the site "was possible".
Permission to decommission Calder Hall was obtained in June 2005, after several years of criticism about the safety of its operation, and a public consultation.Permission to decommission Calder Hall was obtained in June 2005, after several years of criticism about the safety of its operation, and a public consultation.
During their operation, the four towers supplied cooled water as it returned to the turbine hall within a closed energy system, a key part of the production of power.During their operation, the four towers supplied cooled water as it returned to the turbine hall within a closed energy system, a key part of the production of power.
Their demolition is part of "the largest asbestos removal project in Europe", said a Sellafield Ltd spokesman.Their demolition is part of "the largest asbestos removal project in Europe", said a Sellafield Ltd spokesman.
Weapons-grade plutoniumWeapons-grade plutonium
He said a risk assessment has been carried out and it is believed all physical effects of the blast will be confined to within 200m (656ft) of the demolition site.He said a risk assessment has been carried out and it is believed all physical effects of the blast will be confined to within 200m (656ft) of the demolition site.
It will take 12 weeks to remove the rubble after the explosions have taken place, with steel from the site being recycled where possible.It will take 12 weeks to remove the rubble after the explosions have taken place, with steel from the site being recycled where possible.
Early in its existence, Calder Hall was primarily used to produce weapons-grade plutonium, with electricity generation as its secondary purpose.Early in its existence, Calder Hall was primarily used to produce weapons-grade plutonium, with electricity generation as its secondary purpose.
It was not until April 1995 the UK Government confirmed all production of plutonium for weapons purposes had stopped.It was not until April 1995 the UK Government confirmed all production of plutonium for weapons purposes had stopped.