Press Releases & Updates 2009
20th November 2009
Activists Protest Arrival of First Astute Class Sub
|
Anti-nuclear activists held a banner which read Disarm the Seas on the Rhu Spit as the first nuclear powered Astute class submarine sailed through the Rhu narrows at 10:45 today.
Rainbow peace flags and a colourful CND banner fluttered in a brisk wind to greet the crew of the HMS Astute who stood at attention on deck of the brand new hunter killer submarine as she sailed into Faslane for the first time. The demonstration was organized by Helensburgh CND and Trident Ploughshares.
Jane Tallents of Helensburgh CND said “We are here to let it be known that Astute is not welcomed by everyone in this community. This submarine plays an integral role in the Trident system, escorting the nuclear armed subs as they enter and leave Faslane, and is armed with Tomahawk Cruise missiles with a range of 1,400 miles. With its technical capability to sail anywhere on the planet without detection Astute is clearly not just for defence of UK territorial waters. It is more heavily armed than previous hunter-killer submarines. Moreover the nuclear reactor on board Astute poses a risk to the people living in the West of Scotland in the event of any major accident. Even the routine operation of the Trafalgar and Trident submarines has led to ongoing leaks of radiation. Astute will produce a new radioactive waste stream at a time when there is still no adequate storage and disposal plan for the current submarines.”
“The arrival of the submarine comes at a time when Alan Reid MP has voiced opposition to the news that the MOD is considering one or more possible sites in Argyle and Bute for storage of waste from old submarines. If Alan Reid sincerely wants to protect the people of Argyle & Bute from the risk of exposure to radioactivity he should be even more concerned about the MOD’s placing of a whole new generation of nuclear reactors at Faslane.”
“The Scottish government has a clear policy of opposition to building nuclear power plants on Scottish soil. We want to know why it is not speaking out in opposition to these new nuclear power stations sailing up the Clyde.“
Click here to see more pictures
Notes to editor
1. Trident Ploughshares is a campaign initiated in 1998 to disarm Britain’s Trident nuclear weapons system in a nonviolent, open, peaceful and fully accountable manner. It opposes all nuclear weapons and rejects violence as a means of resolving conflict. For more info see here: http://www.tridentploughshares.org
Media enquiries: Jane Tallents or Brian Larkin Tel. 01436 671845, (m) 07787887502
Last updated: 20th November 2009
| 
Trident Ploughshares,
0845 45 88 366
Email addresses:
Printer friendly version
Home
