Low-level nuclear waste repository being capped

The UK's Nuclear Waste Services has started capping the trenches and vaults for them to be permanently closed.

Disposal of low-level radioactive waste began in 1959 with waste being tipped into lined trenches at the repository site near Drigg, Cumbria.

Disposal techniques evolved during the late 1980s and 1990s through construction of highly engineered concrete vaults, and now use specially-designed metal containers in the vaults.

Initial work to permanently close the existing vaults has begun.

The Capping Operations project is significant in both scale and complexity, the initial work is progressing and will take five years.

The first phase, Southern Trench Cap Interim Membrane project, will put a replacement membrane over some of the trenches to continue to protect the waste and remain for up to 100 years.