Petition against Cardiff Bay ‘nuclear mud’ dump passes 10,000

A petition opposing more dumping of mud from the construction site of Hinkley Point C in the sea near Cardiff Bay has totalled over 10,000 signatories.

This figure is twice the amount needed to trigger a debate in the Senedd on the matter.

The petition, set up by Cian Ciaran, invited respondents “not to allow the Welsh government to break their own law,” referring the to Environment Wales Act (2016) which protects the natural environment and its sustainable use.

A spokesperson for PAWB, (People Against Wylfa B) said they were delighted that “so many people had understood the risks” around this issue.

This latest petition builds on a similar one, launched in 2018, before the first dumping of 300,000 tons of mud by EDF power, part of their construction effort.

‘Wellbeing’

Opposing groups claim that the mud dumped in Cardiff Bay could contain traces of radioactive particles. They have demanded that the work be halted while a full environmental impact assessment (EIA) to be carried out.

Mark Drakeford has already set-up a panel not only to look at this particular question but to review broader “implications” for Wales of the new Hinkley Point C power station, which is sited on the English side of the Severn Estuary.

The panel is chaired by the ex-cabinet member of the Assembly, Jane Davidson, originator of the Well-being of Future Generations Act. First Minister Mark Drakeford insisted that the panel would offer an “independent view”, which would support ministers in “safeguarding all aspects of wellbeing in Wales”.

Campaigners are calling for the minutes of the meetings of First Minister’s panel to be made public. They met in July but no details of what was said have so far been released.