Protests grow over 'new nuclear' programme » Environment » 24dash.com

The campaign against a 'new nuclear' programme of electricity generation ratcheted up a notch this morning as environmental activists protested outside a second power station.

Members of the Reclaim Power group were picketing Hartlepool nuclear power station on Teesside as a similar protest continued at Drax power station in Selby, North Yorkshire.

Activists were outside Hartlepool's main entrance with a giant "No More" banner - a reference to the Government's plans to build a new generation of nuclear power stations.

Darren Locke, from Reclaim Power, said: "Nuclear power is not a solution to climate change.

"Whilst it may be true that nuclear power results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions than burning fossil fuels, nuclear power produces deadly waste which remains radioactive for thousands of years.

"We have no way to get rid of it. The nuclear industry has had almost 50 years to find a solution to the nuclear waste problem and has failed to do so.

"The Government says that our only option is to accept nuclear power with all its health and environmental problems.

"But we do have another option - to reduce our energy consumption, and to get the power we do need from clean, safe renewable sources like wind and solar."

Today's protest is part of a series of demonstrations, including the Camp for Climate Action at Drax, highlighting the UK's reliance on fossil fuels.

The Reclaim Power group want to close Drax - claiming it is the UK's largest single emitter of carbon dioxide.

The culmination of the event will be on Thursday when they predict thousands of people will converge on the power station in an attempt to shut it down.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said the Hartlepool protest was peaceful and officers were monitoring the situation.

A spokesman for British Energy said: "British Energy respectfully recognises people's right to protest about what is a vital issue for us all and have no objection to peaceful and lawful demonstrations.

"Our prime concern is to ensure the safety of our staff, the station and protesters themselves."

Copyright - Press Association 2006