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All that remains of the First Generation Reprocessing Plant stack is a 9 metre stub.
A painstaking 30-month project has removed 52 metres of the structure.
The stack had to be demolished by hand because of its proximity to hazardous nuclear buildings on the Sellafield site.
That meant traditional explosive techniques were out of the question.
Instead, workers cut away the concrete and steel stack using hand tools.
They did it while standing on a platform which clung to the chimney using friction alone.
Before demolition could start, the platform had to climb to the top of the chimney, like a monkey shinning up a tree.
It took 10 months to inch its way to the peak: 122 metres above the ground.
Then, metre by metre, teams standing on its 3 storeys cut away the stack.
Every time the platform needed to move down, it took an entire day to loosen, readjust, and then reattach the 84 pads that kept it in place.
The project is part of the 100-year Sellafield decommissioning programme being carried out by Sellafield Ltd on behalf of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA.)
It’s a collaboration between Sellafield Ltd, demolition partner Nuvia, steeplejacks Delta International, and lift operator Alimak.
Another dozen or so companies have provided specialist skills and equipment.
John Daniel, construction manager for the project, said:
The team have been working on this project for just over 1000 days.
This was a tough task, which had to factor in the Cumbrian weather. In fact, our plans were impacted by the weather on 300 days.
Despite this, the team have delivered the project safely and effectively.
They have removed over 400 tonnes of concrete and 30 tonnes of steel, while carrying out over 200,000 individual tasks, and 340,000 checks. Strong human performance behaviours have been an important part of this success.
Having done its job, the climbing platform will now be dismantled. A decision will be taken soon on whether to remove the final few metres of the stack or whether to focus on other priorities and come back to job later.
Explosive, compressed air, or water-related demolition techniques are usually used to remove chimneys.
When the 4 Calder Hall cooling towers were demolished in 2007, in a less built-up area of the Sellafield site, it took about 2 minutes.
But those options weren’t available this time.
And the tricky nature of the job wasn’t the only complicating factor.
Because the chimney provided ventilation to other buildings, a new stack had to be built elsewhere on the site and those ventilation lines re-routed.
The new chimney – known as the Separation Area Ventilation project – began operating in 2016.
UK universities seeking to carry out cutting edge research into the next generation of aviation security solutions are set to benefit from government funding worth £1 million, thanks to a joint initiative between the Department for Transport and the Home Office.
The Future Aviation Security Solutions (FASS) programme is offering the funding to universities through Industrial PhD Partnership (IPP) grants. All UK universities can apply for the FASS IPPs which will bring industry and academia together to mentor students with enterprising ideas to create seamless movement of passengers and cargo in the airports of the future.
As well as enabling universities and industry to develop innovative aviation security measures, FASS IPPs will enhance the UK’s national security expertise by creating a pool of highly-skilled researchers. The dedicated funding programme will focus primarily on aviation security, adding to the UK’s ability to deliver novel solutions for the future of aviation transport.
Transport Minister Baroness Vere said:
The safety and security of everyone traveling is our highest priority and the UK is internationally recognised as a centre for aviation security.
This valuable funding ensures our world leading universities continue to create a pool of highly skilled individuals, with the right expertise vital for our national security.
Successful students will have academic and industry supervisors helping them to build a network of contacts across the aviation sector and gain relevant work experience that could lead to employment opportunities.
FASS IPPs will contribute to national security by improving the UK’s ability to prevent terrorist attacks and could lead to the creation of new products and services that enable faster, more effective airport screening processes.
The UK has one of the safest aviation systems in the world and has made one of the largest contributions to improving global aviation security standards. The introduction of FASS IPPs builds on the government’s commitment, outlined in both its counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, and the wider aviation strategy, to continually review, innovate and improve UK and international aviation security standards to ensure that the skies remain as safe as possible for the travelling public.
Home Office Security Minister Brandon Lewis said:
The introduction of these grants is an important part of our work to make sure the UK continues to boast the world class skills and experience needed to remain at the cutting edge of aviation security.
This is the latest example of the FASS fulfilling its vital role of bringing government, industry and academic experts together to ensure that we keep ahead of the evolving threats we face.
FASS is offering the scheme as part of its commitment to funding research and innovation and will be supported by Connected Places Catapult in delivering the scheme.
Mark Westwood, Chief Technical Officer at the Connected Places Catapult, said:
Our experience in the transport sector has shown us that there is a wealth of knowledge, expertise and creativity in UK universities and SMEs capable of solving many of the challenges facing the aviation industry. So, we are excited to help connect our extensive SME and Academic Networks with FASS to develop real solutions which could make air travel better and more secure for everyone.
Applications to FASS IPP will need to have both a university and industry partner in order to apply. We will be holding 3 brokerage events where we will bring together universities and potential industry partners to network and learn about the full application process:
If you can’t attend any of the brokerage events or are interested in finding out more information about the grants, please contact us: fassipp@cp.catpult.org.uk
Dr Jennifer Hoyle is a Consultant Respiratory Physician and Occupational Lung Disease Lead at the Pennine Acute NHS Trust, based at North Manchester General Hospital. She has been appointed as an independent member due to her extensive experience.
Since 2018 Jennifer has been the clinical respiratory lead for Greater Manchester and East Cheshire Strategic Clinical Network. She has run a busy Occupational Lung Disease department since 2004, is a member of GORDS UK (Group of Occupational Respiratory Disease Specialists) and the British Thoracic Society. Jennifer is also an Honorary Lecturer at Manchester University and has published widely on occupational lung disease including interstitial occupational diseases.
Daniel Shears from the GMB Union has been appointed as a representative of employees.
As the National Health, Safety and Environmental Director with the GMB Union, Daniel is responsible for the provision of specialist advice and guidance on all aspects of health and safety at work and the environment for members employed in both the public and private sectors. He is also a member of the Unite union and has been a member of the Labour Party since 2008. Daniel’s appointment means that there is continued equal representation of employees and employers on the Council, in compliance with Schedule 6 of the Social Security Act 1992
Lesley Francois is a solicitor with Slater & Gordon LLP and has been appointed as an independent member with legal experience.
She has more than 15 years representing victims of industrial disease and serious injury and although she specialises in mesothelioma and other asbestos related cases, Lesley has also represented those with occupational asthma, hand arm vibration syndrome and other work related upper limb disorders.
The Chair of the Council, Dr Lesley Rushton, welcomed the new appointments and the wealth of experience they will bring in taking IIAC’s work forward.
Over half-a-million Indians visited the UK within a 12-month period, according to the latest quarterly report on Migration Statistics published by the UK’s Office for National Statistics.
This was an 11% increase compared to the previous year. The report, published every quarter by the UK’s Office for National Statistics, shows that Indian and Chinese nationals together accounted for nearly half (49%) of all visitor visas granted.
The number of Indian students studying in the UK has seen a remarkable 42% increase. In addition to the visitor visas, nearly 22,000 Indian nationals received a Tier 4 (study) visa for the year ending June 2019 – up from approximately 15,000 the previous year. The number of Indians studying in the UK has almost doubled in 3 years and is now at the highest levels since 2011.
Indian nationals continue to receive more skilled work visas than the rest of the world combined, accounting for 52% of all Tier 2 visas granted globally. More than 56,000 Indians received skilled work visas – a 5% increase compared to the previous year, which is also the largest increase for any country.
British High Commissioner to India, Sir Dominic Asquith said:
The continued rise in these figures is fantastic news for the UK-India relationship. It also shows that the UK continues to be a welcoming place for Indians to work, study and vacation. It looks like the number of Indian fans who travelled to the UK for the Cricket World Cup in England and Wales was even greater than we imagined and I hope to see even more visitors from India in the future.
The more Indians who visit, the stronger the living bridge becomes between our two countries. I look forward to working with our partners in India to ensure this impressive record continues.
All figures in the Q2 2019 report relate to the year July 2018 to June 2019. The full statistical release can be found online on the Office for National Statistics’ website.
Migration statistics are updated quarterly to provide insight into UK visa trends. Upcoming releases will cover a 12-month period in the following format:
As per this guidance the migration statistics are currently classified as experimental and may be subject to change.
The Prime Minister recently announced a new fast-track visa offer to cement the UK as a science superpower, building on the existing Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa route. Under the new scheme:
For media queries, please contact:
Sally Hedley, Head of Communications
Press and Communications, British High Commission,
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021
Tel: 24192100; Fax: 24192400
Mail to: Ashwamegh Banerjee
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